WASHINGTON-UNS/Reuters: The United States maintains a widespread military presence across the Middle East. Below is an overview of key American military installations in the region that Iran has referenced in past warnings.
Bahrain:
Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which oversees naval operations across the Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The base plays a central role in safeguarding maritime security and U.S. interests in the region.
Qatar:
The Al Udeid Air Base, located outside Doha, is the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). It is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East and houses around 10,000 troops. The base directs U.S. military operations across a vast area stretching from Egypt to Central Asia.
In January, CENTCOM announced the opening of a new coordination cell at Al Udeid to strengthen integrated air and missile defence cooperation with regional partners.
Kuwait:
The United States operates several major installations in Kuwait, including Camp Arifjan, the forward headquarters of U.S. Army Central, and Ali Al Salem Air Base near the Iraqi border. Camp Buehring, established during the 2003 Iraq War, serves as a key staging ground for U.S. forces deploying to Iraq and Syria.
United Arab Emirates:
Al Dhafra Air Base, south of Abu Dhabi and shared with the UAE Air Force, is a major U.S. Air Force hub supporting operations against Islamic State and regional reconnaissance missions.
Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, though not a formal military base, is the U.S. Navy’s largest port of call in the Middle East and frequently hosts aircraft carriers and other naval vessels.
Iraq:
The U.S. maintains forces at Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar province, supporting Iraqi security forces and NATO missions. The base was targeted by Iranian missile strikes in 2020 following the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Erbil Air Base, located in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, serves as a hub for U.S. and coalition training, intelligence sharing and logistical coordination.
Saudi Arabia:
About 2,300 U.S. troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia in 2024, according to the White House. Forces operate in coordination with Saudi authorities, providing air and missile defence capabilities. Some are based at Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh, which hosts Patriot missile systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) units.
Jordan:
The Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base near Azraq hosts the U.S. Air Forces Central’s 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which conducts operations across the Levant.
Turkey:
The United States jointly operates Incirlik Air Base with Turkey in the southern province of Adana. The base hosts U.S. nuclear weapons and has been used extensively in operations against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Around 1,465 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Turkey.
Iran has warned neighbouring countries that host U.S. forces that their territory could be at risk if Washington carries out military strikes against Tehran, further raising concerns of a wider regional conflict.
