An NZDF spokesperson would not confirm whether any New Zealand personnel were stationed at sites targeted in the strikes or provide specific deployment locations, citing security reasons.
“The New Zealand Defence Force currently has around 40 personnel from all three services deployed on pre-existing Government-mandated missions throughout the Middle East region,” they said.
According to the NZDF website, up to 20 personnel have been deployed to Bahrain.
“The NZDF continues to closely monitor events, assess the situation in the region and has contingency plans in place, should they be necessary.”
The latest strikes came after Iran allegedly shot down an Apache attack helicopter on Monday, prompting a series of “self-defence” attacks by the United States.
In a post on X, US Central Command said “the mission is a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”.
A ceasefire had been in place between the two nations since April 8, with US President Donald Trump claiming negotiations to end the conflict were nearly complete.
The renewed fighting threatens oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most significant energy export passages, raising fears of further disruption to global markets.