Denise Blostein

A Wall Street Journal investigation found that the U.S. is rethinking its footprint in the Middle East after Iranian missile and drone attacks caused more damage than previously disclosed to at least 20 U.S. sites, including the Navy’s base in Bahrain. Here are four takeaways from our reporting. America’s only naval base in the Middle East was extensively damaged Between late February and June, Iran repeatedly targeted Naval Support Activity Bahrain, known as NSA Bahrain.

The Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, Anthony J. Tata, speaks with Mineman 1st class Ashton Ledbetter at NSA Bahrain on February 11, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raphael McCorey) By Anika Arora Seth, Shelby Holliday, Denise Blostein and Milàn Czerny • Jun 26, 2026 When the Iranian missiles and drones came for the nerve center of America’s naval operations in the Middle East, some of them hit their mark.

When the Iranian missiles and drones came for the nerve center of America’s naval operations in the Middle East, some of them hit their mark. The U.S. Navy base in Bahrain was repeatedly targeted between late February and June. Strikes that got through caused extensive damage, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of satellite imagery, social-media footage and interviews with current and former servicemembers—damage that the Pentagon hasn’t publicly acknowledged.