U.S. Bases Targeted by Iran's Retaliation [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Deployment of U.S. Forces Across More Than 19 Major Military Facilities in the Middle East

Iran, the Region's Largest Missile Power, Targets Key Strategic Sites

AP Yonhap News

On February 28, U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a phone interview with Axios following a large-scale airstrike on Iran that he could either "maintain a full-scale prolonged war and take control of the whole thing, or conclude the operation within two to three days and notify Iran that 'if you resume your nuclear and missile programs, we will see you again in a few years.'" If Iran begins to retaliate, the situation could escalate into a new Middle East war and become a protracted stalemate. This could prove to be a significant challenge for President Trump, as there is a possibility of repeating the precedent set by the war in Afghanistan and the Iraq War during the 2000s, in which the United States fell into a quagmire of astronomical costs and the sacrifice of numerous American service members.

Thousands of Ballistic and Cruise Missiles, Including Khorramshahr-4

Iran has the largest standing military force in the Middle East. It is reported that its regular army consists of 350,000 soldiers and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) comprises 190,000, bringing the total to 610,000 active personnel. Iran is also believed to possess the greatest number of missiles in the region. It is reported that Iran has thousands of ballistic missiles, including the Khorramshahr-4, which are capable of striking across all of Israel, as well as numerous cruise missiles. Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, such as the Shahed attack drones exported to Russia, are also considered to be substantial.

Instead of large warships, the Iranian Navy operates more than 100 fast attack craft and small submarines. Iran has repeatedly warned of its capability to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Should the Iranian Navy close the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the global oil supply, the international oil market would likely experience significant shock. However, Iran's air force is considered to be weak. Most of Iran's approximately 250 fighter jets are outdated models from before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Primary Iranian Targets Are U.S. Bases in the Middle East

Iran's main targets are U.S. military bases within the Middle East. The country claims that all U.S. assets in the region are within missile range.

There are approximately 40,000 to 50,000 U.S. troops stationed across more than 19 major military facilities in the Middle East. Of these, eight are classified as permanent bases and are known to serve as key strategic points for operations and defense against Iran. U.S. authorities believe that 13 of these military bases are within Iran's strike range, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 U.S. troops stationed there.

The Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, with more than 10,000 troops stationed there. Serving as the forward headquarters of the U.S. Central Command, the base hosts a concentration of advanced air assets, including strategic bombers, drones, and aerial refueling aircraft. In Bahrain, the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is located, with several facilities supporting U.S. naval operations in the Persian Gulf, including the vital oil shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz. The headquarters of the U.S. Central Command is in Kuwait, where U.S. bases primarily serve as hubs for large-scale troop and materiel transportation.

Largest Base in the Middle East Stationed in Qatar

At the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), F-35A stealth fighters and numerous reconnaissance assets are forward-deployed. According to foreign media reports, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia has a concentration of advanced air defense systems, including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot missile systems. In Iraq, U.S. bases are located in northern Erbil and western Anbar Province.

Just days before the strikes against Iran, the U.S. military had moved a large number of troops stationed in Syria. It is believed that the troops, previously deployed to Syria to eradicate remnants of the extremist group Islamic State (IS) after the stabilization of the civil war situation, were withdrawn. Additionally, it appears that, ahead of military operations against Iran, the United States aimed to prevent small, vulnerable outposts from becoming targets of retaliation by Iran or its proxy forces.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.