The posts that have now been deleted by UChicago SJP included clips from Iran Press TV showing strikes on Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which serves as the headquarters for US Naval Forces Central Command, and featured a red inverted triangle symbol associated with Hamas.
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University of Chicago is a student led organisation dedicated to advocating for Palestine. They recently reposted Iran’s strikes on a US military base in Bahrain.
These strikes occurred in the aftermath of US-Israeli attacks that allegedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, leading to the deaths of three US service members and injuries to five others at bases throughout the Middle East.
Critics, such as Attorney Harmeet K. Dhillon and investor Shaun Maguire, have denounced these posts as shameful and abhorrent, emphasising SJP’s history of provocative actions on campus amidst increasing scrutiny of pro-Palestinian organisations.
Iran launches missile attacks on Bahrain
Bahrain reported that a missile strike targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which is situated in the capital, Manama.
The government described it as a “treacherous attack” and “a clear infringement on the kingdom’s sovereignty and security”.
Later, videos circulating on social media seemed to depict an Iranian Shahed drone crashing into a tower block near the headquarters, igniting a fire in the building.
The Interior Ministry indicated that several residential structures in Manama had been impacted, stating on X that civil defense teams were involved in firefighting and rescue efforts at the affected locations.
Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States, referred to attacks on “locations within the Kingdom”, labeling them a “clear violation of sovereignty” in a post on X.
The Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also released a statement regarding the recent attacks by Iran and called them a ‘flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.’
27 US bases attacked by Iran in retaliatory strikes
As reported by Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the initiation of the sixth phase of retaliatory measures in response to the bombings conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran.
The announcement indicated that Iran has launched numerous missiles and drones targeting military bases associated with Israel and the United States in the region.
These strikes were directed at military facilities and command centers.
Iranian officials have stated that these operations will proceed in phases, with even more robust actions anticipated in the future.
Read more: Iran targets 27 US military bases in sixth strike
