Key US military bases in Middle East face increased risk amid Iran retaliation threats
US military bases in region brace for potential Iran retaliation
The US military is on elevated alert across key installations in the Middle East after President Donald Trump confirmed airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. As of June 22, 2025, no direct Iranian response has been confirmed, but Iranian officials have warned of consequences for both Israeli and American actions.
US military bases in Iraq, including
Al Asad Airbase
and Erbil Airbase, are among the most exposed to Iranian retaliation. These locations have previously been targeted by
Iranian ballistic missiles
and proxy rocket attacks. In Syria, US forces stationed near al-Tanf also remain within range of Iranian-backed militias.
Also read:
US bombs Iran's nuclear sites: All you need to know about the Iranian facilities that are hit by American
In the Gulf, the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar are strategic hubs for American air operations and logistics. Both bases host thousands of US personnel and advanced aircraft, including surveillance and bomber support. Regional air defense systems in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been placed on alert.
Iran has not formally announced a military response. However, statements from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the foreign ministry suggest that US assets in the region could be subject to reprisal if Tehran assesses that the strikes were coordinated with Israel's earlier attacks under Operation Rising Lion.
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US defense officials have declined to comment on troop repositioning or any changes in readiness levels but confirmed that force protection measures have been increased. Commercial flights near Iranian airspace have also been redirected in anticipation of potential escalatory moves.
The risk calculus for Washington is further complicated by the presence of US military forces in the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, where naval assets remain within range of Iranian drones and missile capabilities.
As the situation unfolds, officials across the region are preparing for multiple contingencies involving cyberattacks, militia activity, and direct strikes on US military bases.
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