Another botched op? Report flags US role in Bahrain blast that injured civilians

A version that came within minutes is now being questioned days later. As new evidence emerges from Bahrain, the gap between first claims and fresh findings is raising difficult questions.

A version put out within hours of a deadly explosion in Bahrain is now facing serious scrutiny, after new findings suggested that a US-operated missile, not an Iranian drone, may have been at the centre of the blast, reported Reuters.

The March 9 explosion ripped through a residential neighbourhood, injuring at least 32 people, including children. In the immediate aftermath, both Bahrain and the United States Central Command pointed to an Iranian drone strike.

Central Command dismissed any suggestion of a missile failure as a “LIE”.

Days later, Bahrain acknowledged that a Patriot interceptor missile had been involved. Officials maintained that it had successfully intercepted a drone mid air and “saved lives”.

Yet, even as that admission came, a key gap remained - no public evidence of a drone.

Now, a detailed analysis of open source videos and satellite imagery has added a new layer. Researchers have concluded with moderate to high confidence that the missile was likely fired from a US-operated Patriot battery located a few kilometres from the site.