US Reassesses Middle East Military Bases After Extensive Iranian Missile and Drone Attacks
The US administration has launched a comprehensive review of its military deployments and bases in the Middle East following extensive damage caused by Iranian missile and drone attacks. According to a report published on Sunday by The Wall Street Journal, at least 20 American sites were hit, with the US Navy base in Bahrain suffering the most significant damage. Between late February and June, the naval support base in Bahrain, the only permanent US naval base in the region, was repeatedly targeted. The attacks damaged the Central Command headquarters, over ten additional buildings, and two satellite communication terminals.
US military officials emphasized that there were no casualties and operational capabilities were not significantly impaired, although most personnel were evacuated, leaving only a small contingent on site. These strikes have prompted renewed discussions about the structure of the US military presence in the region. Central Command officials believe that Iran's evolving missile and drone capabilities have made some older Gulf bases more vulnerable, necessitating operational and infrastructural adjustments.
Among the options under consideration are restructuring the Bahrain base, reducing US forces in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and relocating some command activities and bases westward, beyond the range of Iranian threats. Two officials also mentioned Israel as a potential host for some operations, though no decision has been made yet.
The planned realignment is expected to be costly. Pentagon Inspector General Jay Hurst told Congress last month that the war cost estimate of $29 billion did not include damage to US bases. The Wall Street Journal estimates that repairing the Bahrain facilities alone could cost around $400 million, excluding expenses for evacuation, fortification, and infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated the total war cost at about $40 billion, with $2.2 to $5.1 billion attributed to damage at US bases across the region.
US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins commented on the response to the attacks, stating, "CENTCOM rightly prioritized protecting personnel over buildings, and this strategy has proven effective. Iran launched over 8,000 missiles and drones, yet only two strikes resulted in casualties among our forces."
