Bahrain’s military announced that its air defense systems have successfully intercepted 186 missiles and 419 drones fired by Iran since the conflict began in the Middle East. In an official statement, the Bahraini military urged the public to stay away from damaged areas and “suspicious objects.” They also warned residents not to take pictures of debris from interception sites.
These figures show a significant increase from earlier counts. Official reports had previously noted 174 missiles and 391 drones intercepted since the war began, which highlights the growing intensity of attacks on the small Gulf kingdom. Iran’s retaliation against Bahrain started on February 28, 2026, after a coordinated missile operation by the United States and Israel struck several targets in Iran. Iranian forces responded with airstrikes across the Persian Gulf, hitting various countries in the region.
Bahrain has faced some of the most aggressive attacks due to its strategic significance. The kingdom hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, and video footage showed that parts of the fleet’s headquarters were hit during the initial Iranian assault. Iranian drones hit Sitra Island, an important industrial area that contains the BAPCO oil refinery, with officials confirming attacks on the Al Maameer oil facility. A separate drone strike on Sitra injured 32 people. In one of the deadliest attacks, a drone struck a residential building in the Al Seef area of Manama, killing a 29-year-old woman and injuring eight others.
Bahrain performed the fewest interceptions among Gulf states in the early days of the conflict and faced damage in Manama, at the airport, and near the US Fifth Fleet facilities. As the toll continues to rise, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant due to the ongoing threat of further strikes.