Reuters: US Patriot Missile Tied to Civilian Injuries in Bahrain

(SeaPRwire) –   The mid-air destruction of an Iranian drone resulted in 32 people being injured early in the war

A Patriot missile fired by US forces has been linked to wounding dozens of civilians in Bahrain on March 9, according to a Reuters report on Sunday. The US and Bahraini governments had originally blamed the injuries on an attack by an Iranian drone.

The news agency states that research from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies indicates the interceptor missile was fired from a battery about four miles (7 km) southwest of Sitra island’s Mahazza district. Bahraini officials had earlier reported that 32 individuals, some of them children, were hurt.

When asked for comment, the Bahraini government confirmed the wounds “were not caused by either the Patriot interceptor or the Iranian drone hitting the ground directly,” adding that destroying the drone in flight averted more serious harm.

In late February, the United States and Israel began an aerial bombardment campaign with the objective of toppling Iran’s government. They assert their strikes are focused on Iran’s military infrastructure and parts of its nuclear enrichment program to stop the country from obtaining atomic weapons.

During the initial day of bombings, more than 160 civilians, mostly young girls, died at a primary school in Minab. US authorities denied any role in the fatalities. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran may have obtained a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile; video showed such a missile striking the site and debris from one was found there.

The building had been part of a military complex over ten years prior. It is strongly believed the school was mistakenly included as a target, potentially by an artificial intelligence system operating on outdated information.

Throughout the hostilities, Iran’s approach has focused on increasing economic pressure on US allies. This includes Arab nations that host American bases and other countries dependent on oil and gas shipments from the Persian Gulf.

During the weekend, Trump warned he would attack Iranian power stations if Tehran does not permit ships to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials from Iran stated they would respond with similar measures.