What are key US military bases in the Middle East?

Iran’s strikes targeting US military bases in Qatar and Iraq are seen as a dangerous escalation in an already volatile Middle East.

The immediate trigger appears to be Washington’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a move that Tehran views as a direct violation of its sovereignty and a severe provocation.

By targeting US assets in the region, Iran is responding in kind and sending a message that attacks on its critical infrastructure will not go unanswered.

The operation, which Iranian officials have reportedly named “Annunciation of Victory”, is also symbolic. 

By directly targeting US military installations, Iran is seeking to showcase its military capabilities both to domestic audiences and regional rivals. It’s a calculated display of strength at a time when hardline factions within Iran are pushing for a more confrontational posture.

The following are important US facilities in the Middle East:

Bahrain

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which oversees naval operations across the Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Its location is critical for maritime security and rapid naval deployment.

Qatar

The Al Udeid Air Base, located outside Doha, is a centerpiece of US military operations in the region. Spanning 24 hectares, it serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM). Home to around 10,000 troops, Al Udeid is the largest US base in the Middle East and a launchpad for operations stretching from Egypt to Central Asia.

Kuwait

Kuwait supports several key US military installations:

• Camp Arifjan: Headquarters for U.S. Army Central Command (ARCENT).
• Ali Al Salem Air Base: Just 40 km from Iraq, it’s dubbed “The Rock” due to its remote, rugged terrain.
• Camp Buehring: Established during the Iraq War in 2003, it remains a major staging ground for troops deploying to Iraq and Syria.

United Arab Emirates

The Al Dhafra Air Base, south of Abu Dhabi, is shared with the UAE Air Force and plays a key role in reconnaissance missions and counter-ISIS operations.

Meanwhile, Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, though not a formal base, is the largest U.S. naval port of call in the region, frequently accommodating aircraft carriers and support vessels.

Iraq

US forces are based at several strategic locations:

Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Anbar province, which supports Iraqi security forces and NATO operations. It was previously targeted by Iranian missiles in 2020 following the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Region serves as a secure training and coordination hub for U.S. and coalition troops operating in the north.

Saudi Arabia

As of 2024, over 2,300 U.S. personnel are deployed in Saudi Arabia. Key installations include:

Prince Sultan Air Base, approximately 60 km south of Riyadh, where U.S. forces operate air and missile defense systems, including Patriot batteries and THAAD units.

Jordan

In Azraq, Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base hosts the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing of the U.S. Air Force. From there, American forces conduct regional missions across the Levant, focusing on counterterrorism and regional deterrence.