MANAMA, Bahrain, Monday, March 2, 2026 (WNP): Plumes of thick smoke were seen rising from a high-rise building in the Bahraini capital Manama following Iranian drone strikes amid a widening regional conflict.

The incident occurred in the Seef district of Manama, where multiple residential and commercial towers were struck during a wave of retaliatory Iranian attacks across the Gulf. Smoke rising from a burning building in the area was captured in footage distributed by international news agencies.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said its civil defence teams were responding to damage at several buildings after drones targeted sites within the kingdom. Fire crews brought some blazes under control, and authorities reported one minor case of smoke inhalation treated on site.

The strikes in Bahrain form part of a larger escalation triggered by Iran’s response to a joint U.S.–Israeli military offensive that struck Iranian territory earlier in the week. Iranian forces have launched missiles and drones at targets across the region, including Gulf states hosting U.S. assets, residential areas and infrastructure hubs.

In Manama, some of the affected structures included a luxury high-rise tower hit by drone impact, igniting fires and sending thick black smoke across the skyline, according to regional media reports. Emergency services worked to evacuate occupants and contain the fires as residents were urged to stay indoors and follow safety advisories.

The strikes have raised fears of broader conflict in the oil-rich Gulf region. Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, has seen repeated alerts and explosions, with air defence systems engaging multiple incoming threats.

Travel disruptions have also been reported, with Bahrain’s airspace closed intermittently as Singapore-flagged vessels and offshore facilities come under threat. The government has urged calm, stressing that public safety remains the highest priority.

The Gulf crisis continues to evolve rapidly, with governments and international bodies calling for restraint as Iran’s retaliatory campaign shows few signs of abating.