US defense officials weigh relocating forces further west to mitigate Iranian missile and drone strike risks after extensive base damage.
The Pentagon is assessing a potential reduction in US military presence in the Persian Gulf following extensive damage to facilities during the Iran war. Officials are evaluating whether to relocate troops further west, such as to Jordan or Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, to reduce vulnerability to Iranian attacks.
The US currently maintains around 40,000 troops across nearly 20 sites in the region. Over 200 military facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and six service members were killed in a March strike in Kuwait. The conflict has also depleted advanced air-defense interceptors, straining missile stockpiles.
No formal review has been ordered, but the Pentagon’s policy office, Joint Staff, and US Central Command are examining restructuring options. The focus is on long-term strategic positioning rather than simply rebuilding existing bases.