Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed comments by acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao acknowledging extensive damage to a US naval base in Bahrain from Iranian attacks. Araghchi stated on X that Iran's armed forces "blew the hell out of the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain," and criticized the US for funding "Israel's wars."
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in the Middle East and underscores Iran's narrative of successfully challenging US military presence in the region, while also drawing attention to US domestic political debates regarding foreign policy spending.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed comments made by acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao, who acknowledged the significant damage inflicted by Iranian strikes on a key US naval base in Bahrain. Cao reportedly stated that Iranian forces "blew the hell out of Bahrain" during the early stages of the conflict.
Araghchi shared Cao's remarks on X, writing, "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."
Cao's statement, reported by journalist Ryan Morgan of The Epoch Times, offered a rare high-level acknowledgement of the damage sustained by Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which houses the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Previous reporting by The Wall Street Journal had estimated the cost to rebuild damaged sections of the base at approximately $400 million.