Iran May Hit US Bases If Washington Strikes: Where Are America’s Military Forces In Middle East?

Last Updated:January 14, 2026, 18:17 IST

Al Udeid, located in Qatar, is the forward headquarters of US Central Command, which oversees US military operations across the Middle East.

Al Udeid hosts about 10,000 troops and serves as a hub for air operations, intelligence, surveillance and logistics.

Tehran warned neighbours hosting US troops that it would hit American bases if Washington strikes, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, as Iran seeks to deter US President Donald Trump’s threats to intervene on behalf of protesters. Three diplomats said some personnel had been advised to leave the main US air base in the region, though there were no immediate signs of a large-scale evacuation like the one seen ahead of an Iranian missile attack last year. The advisory applies to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.

Why Is Al Udeid Air Base Central To US Operations?

Al Udeid, located in Qatar, is the forward headquarters of US Central Command, which oversees US military operations across the Middle East. The base hosts about 10,000 troops and serves as a hub for air operations, intelligence, surveillance and logistics spanning the Gulf, Iraq and Syria. Last year, personnel and families were moved off several US bases in the region more than a week before US air strikes on Iran. After those strikes in June, Iran responded with a missile attack on Al Udeid.

Where Does The US Have Bases In The Gulf?

The US maintains its densest footprint in the Gulf states.

In Bahrain, Naval Support Activity Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet, which oversees naval operations across the Gulf and Arabian Sea.

In Kuwait, Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base act as key logistics hubs supporting deployments into Iraq and Syria.

In the United Arab Emirates, Al Dhafra Air Base hosts US aircraft and intelligence assets, including surveillance platforms.

What Is US Military Presence In Iraq And Syria?

In Iraq, US forces operate from bases such as Al Asad and Erbil, primarily for counter-ISIS missions, though troop numbers have been reduced in recent years.

In eastern Syria, the US maintains small outposts backing Kurdish-led forces and counterterrorism operations. These are not officially designated as permanent bases but function as forward military positions.

Does US Have Bases In Israel And Saudi Arabia?

The US does not run large, traditional bases in Israel but American troops operate joint missile defence and radar systems critical to early warning against missile threats.

In Saudi Arabia, US forces are deployed on a rotational basis, including air defence units and military advisers, without a formally declared permanent base.

News world Iran May Hit US Bases If Washington Strikes: Where Are America’s Military Forces In Middle East?

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