Iran ‘blew the hell out of’ US Bahrain base, acting Navy secretary says
BAHRAIN, MIDDLE EAST: Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has given an assessment of the damage Iran caused to a key US military base in Bahrain during the war.
Cao said the Navy is now looking at whether the facility can be repaired and continue supporting American forces in the region.
In an exclusive interview, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told me that Iranian forces "blew the hell out of Bahrain."
— Ryan Morgan (@R_S_Morgan) September 10, 2026
While open-source analyses have long indicated that the U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain sustained extensive damage in the early…
Hung Cao gives blunt assessment of Iran damage to Bahrain base
Cao made the striking comment to The Epoch Times on September 9 while referring to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which houses US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet.
“They blew the hell out of Bahrain,” Cao said.
USSOCOM hosted Acting Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Hung Cao, reinforcing the enduring partnership between the Navy and the SOF enterprise. United by a shared commitment to mission success. Both forces share a common purpose: a ready, capable, and lethal force—stronger… pic.twitter.com/LaRy2jiRTR
— USSOCOM (@USSOCOM) July 11, 2026
The comment is a fresh confirmation from the civilian head of the Navy about the extent of damage at the important base.
Satellite imagery and earlier reports had already shown extensive damage from Iranian missiles dating back to the start of the war in February.
Cao also revealed that the Navy is now examining what happens next. “I have a task force that's looking at” whether the Navy needs to repair the base to sustain forces in the region, he told the outlet.
That leaves the future of the damaged facility under review as the Navy assesses how it can continue supporting forces in the region.
Iranian foreign minister reacts to Hung Cao’s Bahrain comments
Cao’s remarks quickly drew a response from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
“We appreciate the candor of Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao,” Araghchi wrote on social media in response to Cao.
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. pic.twitter.com/notnk7hWUK
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) September 11, 2026
He then claimed Iranian forces had indeed hit the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, along with other bases.
“Our powerful Armed Forces did indeed ‘blow the hell out of the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain,’ as well as other bases supporting US aggression,” Araghchi wrote.
He added, “The American people deserve better than footing the bill for Israel's wars.”
Daryl Caudle warned sailors they may not return soon
Cao’s comments also come after Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle addressed the situation during an August 31 town hall.
Caudle spoke to a sailor who had been displaced from the Bahrain base and gave a warning about when personnel might return.
“We're not getting back in there anytime soon,” Caudle said.
