With the United States launching strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point. Iran has threatened a fierce response, placing at least 19 US bases in its crosshairs—including the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain. As Tehran weighs retaliation, key US military installations across the Gulf are under scrutiny. From oil chokepoints to drone threats, this report breaks down why Bahrain's base matters now more than ever—and what’s at stake for the wider region.
