Navy Secretary admits Iran “blew the hell” out of US base in Bahrain

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao has admitted that Iranian forces caused significant damage to the U.S. naval base in Bahrain, a statement that appears to contradict the Trump administration’s earlier claims of having fully destroyed Iran’s attack capabilities, according to a report by The New Republic.

Cao reportedly made the remark to The Epoch Times, describing how Iranian strikes affected the Fifth Fleet headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain during a February 28 drone attack. He also said the assault prevented American forces from returning the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that had remained at sea for months amid reports of poor conditions for crew members.

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin described the comment as a rare, candid acknowledgment from a senior U.S. official. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute noted a recurring pattern in which the U.S. government initially downplays Iranian strikes before admitting the damage weeks or months later.

Asked about returning to the Bahrain base, Cao said a task force was reviewing the matter.