Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed this week that a significant U.S. military logistics hub in Bahrain sustained substantial damage from Iranian attacks. Cao expressed uncertainty regarding the long-term feasibility of maintaining U.S. forces at the site, which houses the U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. Central Command’s waterborne forces.
"They blow the hell out of Bahrain," Cao told The Epoch Times in an interview published Thursday, referring to Naval Support Activity Bahrain. He added that a task force is currently examining whether the base can or should be restored. This marks the first official acknowledgment of the extent of combat damage to the facility.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to Cao's remarks on X, formerly Twitter, early Friday. Araghchi stated, "We appreciate the candor of Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao. Our powerful Armed Forces did indeed ‘blow the hell out of the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain,’ as well as other bases supporting U.S. aggression. The American people deserve better than footing the bill for Israel’s wars."