EQUIPPED WITH THE most sophisticated weapons of destruction, the United States doesn’t seem bothered pitting a lean team of American soldiers against Iran’s over two million troops who are willing to die in the name of “glory.”
In a report which first appeared in Al Jazeera, the US government, as early as June last year, has deployed around 40,000 to 50,000 American troops across 19 sites surrounding Iran.
The report back then said the troops are deployed either in US-controlled bases in operation for at least 15 years or in other sites with US military presence.
SHOCKING ATTACK
Eight months later, US and Israel attacked multiple Iranian cities, prompting a fierce response from Tehran, which launched missiles at Israel and towards US military bases in neighboring countries in the Middle East where American forces operate.
Anticipating a worse case scenario in view of an intense exchange of projectiles, countries surrounding Iran were forced to shut down their airspace, and even grounded ships being used in delivering crude oil across the globe.
Many countries have, in recent days, cautioned their diplomats and citizens in the region about the prospects of a military escalation between Iran and the US. Some countries had even asked their citizens to evacuate.
Iran had previously warned that if it were attacked, it would respond by targeting US military facilities across the region.
AMERICAN PRESENCE
For the longest time, the US has been maintaining military bases in the Middle East. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the US operates a broad network of military sites, both permanent and temporary, across at least 19 locations in the region.
Of these, eight are permanent bases, located across Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The US’ first deployment of soldiers in the Middle East was in July 1958, when combat troops were sent to Beirut during the Lebanon crisis. At its height, there were almost 15,000 Marines and Army soldiers in Lebanon.
As of mid-2025, there are about 40,000 to 50,000 US troops in the Middle East, comprising personnel stationed in both large, permanent bases and smaller forward sites across the region.
SCATTERED US TROOPS
The countries with the most US troops include Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These installations serve as critical hubs for air and naval operations, regional logistics, intelligence gathering and force projection
Below are some notable bases in the region.
●Established in 1996, the 24-hectare Al Udeid airbase in Qatar is the largest airbase used by the US military in the Middle East, accommodating almost 100 aircraft and drones. This base, which houses some 10,000 troops, serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM) and has been central to operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.
●The Naval Support Activity, NSA in Bahrain sits on the site of the former British naval installation, HMS Jufair. It hosts approximately 9,000 defense personnel, including military and civilian staff. Home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, the base provides security to ships, aircraft, detachments and remote sites in the region. The Bahrain airbase came under attack on February 28, the country’s military confirmed.
●Constructed in 1999, Camp Arifjan in Kuwait is a major US Army base located about 55 kilometers southeast of Kuwait City. It serves as the primary logistics, supply and command hub for US military operations in the Middle East, particularly within the US CENTCOM area of responsibility.
●The strategic Al-Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates focused on reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and supporting combat air operations. The base hosts advanced aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor stealth fighters and various surveillance planes, including drones and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS).
●Not to be left behind is the Erbil airbase in Iraq. Erbil is used by US forces for air operations, particularly in northern Iraq and Syria, where troops advise Kurdish and Iraqi forces.