Iranian actions are attributed directly and labelled as strikes and retaliatory attacks, while the prior US actions that prompted them are left without an actor, framing Iran as the aggressor and the US as an unnamed background condition.

How it builds, in Strikes and retaliatory attacks paragraph

Iran named as actor; US role is passive infrastructure
Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region, including Bahrain, against US military and civilian infrastructure.
Direct attribution with named actor
US presence framed as context, not cause
Bahrain has found itself either targeted by Iranian missiles due to the US military bases located in the country
US role buried as subordinate clause, no agency assigned
Iran labelled regime; US and Israel unnamed as parties
the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions
Pejorative label applied to one side only

The same decision, both sides

Whether the actor is named when violence is described

Iran is named directly as the actor carrying out strikes across the region.

strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region, including Bahrain, against US military and civilian infrastructure

US military action that preceded and prompted those strikes is not named or described as action at all, appearing only as static infrastructure.

targeted by Iranian missiles due to the US military bases located in the country

Whether the word retaliatory is used to contextualise violence

Iranian strikes are described as retaliatory, which implies a prior cause, yet that prior cause is never described as US action.

strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran

No equivalent contextualising word is applied to any US action; the US appears only as the target of Iranian retaliation, not as a party that itself struck first.

against US military and civilian infrastructure

What a reader is left with. A reader is left believing Iran is the active, threatening party in the conflict, while the US role is presented only as infrastructure being targeted rather than as a belligerent initiating or sustaining hostilities.

Foreign Office issues Bahrain and Kuwait travel warnings with flights at risk

The Foreign Office has advised Brits to avoid travelling to Bahrain and Kuwait unless absolutely necessary as the region "remains unpredictable" due to the US-Iran war. In updated travel advice issued this morning, the FCDO warned that British nationals currently in the Middle East should be prepared for flight cancellations, travel disruption and regular airspace closures due to the "unforeseen escalation" between Washington and Tehran. A statement read: "The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, however the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. "Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region, including Bahrain, against US military and civilian infrastructure. There is a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation in the region. "On 20 July, the US Embassy Manama issued an advisory that Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama. "Before the ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions." Similar advice was given to British nationals in Kuwait. Both countries have found themselves caught in the crossfire between the US and Iran in recent months. Throughout the conflict, Bahrain has found itself either targeted by Iranian missiles due to the US military bases located in the country, while Kuwait has had its airport targeted by drones on several occasions since the start of the conflict. Read if you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK . This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis” Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts Follow advice from the local authorities Monitor local and international media for the latest information, including updates relating to airports and airspace which could close at short notice Stay away from areas around security or military facilities Keep your departure plans under review, noting that in April 2026 there was simultaneous closure of airspace and the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia, and ensure your travel documents are up to date If advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Do not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects

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