India, Feb. 28 -- A United States base in Bahrain came under missile strike on Saturday, marking an escalation in the Middle East tussle triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The attack targeted a site that serves as the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

The missile strike was carried out in retaliation for the joint US and Israeli attack on Iran earlier in the day.

Reports based on satellite imagery indicated that the US Navy had moved several vessels away from its Bahrain base in recent days as tensions with Iran intensified.

Bahraini authorities confirmed that the area of Juffair, where the US naval headquarters is located, was hit. Residents were evacuated from nearby neighbourhoods as a precaution.

"The Ministry o...