Iran–Israel conflict: Why Tehran is targeting the US fifth fleet in Bahrain

Iran targets US Fifth Fleet amid escalation (Reuters)

Escalating hostilities between Iran and the US–Israel alliance have triggered retaliatory missile and drone strikes, with Tehran targeting military infrastructure and Gulf states hosting American forces. The confrontation has intensified after strikes against Iranian leadership and strategic assets, expanding the battlefield to critical maritime hubs.

At the centre of the escalation is the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, a key operational command structure underpinning American power projection in the region.

“This isn’t just a fleet; it functions as a command and intelligence hub covering warfare, piracy monitoring, political coordination and wider regional operations,” Sameh Askar said.

"It was established in 1995 with a strategic focus on Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, aiming to consolidate US influence in the region after the collapse of the Soviet Union," Sameh Askar said in his analysis on X.

Bahrain reported intercepting 61 missiles and 34 drones, with one person killed by shrapnel from intercepted fire. Some projectiles struck buildings and naval infrastructure, while satellite images showed smoke rising from a damaged structure at the base in Manama.

Why the fleet matters

The Fifth Fleet covers roughly 6.5 million square kilometres across the Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, controlling key chokepoints including the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb.

“Approximately 90% of the world's oil trade passes through these areas, and US control over them guarantees their energy supply chains,” Sameh Askar stated.

The fleet consists of more than 20 warships — including aircraft carriers, destroyers and amphibious vessels — with around 16,000 personnel.

“It has diplomatic and political activity in coordination and cooperation with Arab rulers,” Sameh Askar noted.

Military role and operational impact

🇮🇷🇺🇸🇧🇭 Why is Iran focused on destroying the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain?This isn't just a fleet; it's a comprehensive database (warfare, intelligence, piracy, politics, and more).Let me explain the importance of this fleet. Destroying it would mean eliminating approximately… pic.twitter.com/4Xx9oHql8j

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) March 2, 2026

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have declared the fleet a target. A vessel at a Bahrain port was also hit, triggering a fire that was later extinguished, according to maritime security authorities.

The fleet’s operational capacity remains central to US regional power projection.

“It contains more than 30 naval vessels, including destroyers, submarines, and mobile aircraft carriers, with a total of 15,000 personnel, in addition to hundreds of aircraft on the carriers and thousands of advanced missiles,” Askar explained.

“It is subjected to heavy bombardment daily without being able to intercept the missiles or even maneuver against them,” he added.

Strategic conclusion

From Iran’s perspective, weakening the Fifth Fleet would disrupt US command, intelligence and deterrence capabilities in the region.

“If the Iranians succeed in destroying it (completely), it would mean a potential American military catastrophe, perhaps unprecedented since World War II,” Sameh Askar concluded in his analysis.