Iran retaliates against American bases; State Department issues ‘shelter in place’

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

The U.S. State Department is warning Americans across the Middle East to shelter in place until further notice, following U.S. strikes against Iran overnight, leading to retaliatory strikes throughout the region.

In Manama, Bahrain, home of the headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, the U.S. Embassy put out a security alert, citing an “imminent drone/missile attack” on the small island off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf.

Multiple reports and videos circulating show an explosion at the headquarters of the U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Large plumes of dark smoke can be seen billowing from the headquarters area. There has been no official confirmation of any American casualties or whether the missile struck a mission-essential building.

“There are media reported threats of missiles/drones over Bahrain. The U.S. Embassy in Manama urges U.S. citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place,” according to an alert put out by the U.S. Embassy Manama.

With sirens roaring across Israel, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem directed all U.S. government employees and their family members “to shelter in place until further notice.” The embassy noted that the Israeli government closed the airspace for civilian flights, with all flights from Ben Gurion Airport cancelled.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged Americans in Israel to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), allowing American citizens to receive emergency updates from the U.S. Department of State.

The Israeli Defense Forces have warned Israelis that a “barrage of missiles” has been launched towards Israel from Iran.

There are multiple reports that Iran has also targeted U.S. bases around the Persian Gulf in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. UAE state news says the country has intercepted Iranian missiles.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia released a statement saying it will be joining the U.S. in military action against the Iranian regime.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The Kingdom affirms its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries, and its readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to condemn these blatant attacks and to take all firm measures necessary to confront Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Qatar released a similar statement, condemning Iranian forces targeting Qatar with “ballistic missiles,” adding that the “State of Qatar reserves its full right to respond to this attack.”