USA Considers Reducing Military Presence in the Gulf
The Pentagon is analyzing whether to rebuild American bases in the Persian Gulf damaged by Iranian attacks. Alternatives include shifting forces westward, including to Israel, despite US concerns regarding potential espionage.
The Pentagon is considering reducing the US military presence in the Gulf following the end of the war with Iran, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday. According to officials familiar with the details, a full official analysis has not yet been concluded, but the US is examining whether it is worth rebuilding bases damaged by Iranian attacks.
According to the report, which cites eight officials and sources, a move to reduce US forces could signal that the confrontation with Iran has fundamentally changed the nature of the American presence in the region. The damage sustained by these bases has provided the Pentagon with a rare opportunity to reconsider its regional footprint, with the Department of Defense signaling that it may not rebuild the facilities in their original pre-conflict format.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which manages military activity in the Middle East, typically stations about 40,000 troops across 20 sites stretching from Jordan to Oman. Since the start of the year, the US military has bolstered its presence with warships, fighter jets, and air defense systems, carrying out over 13,000 strikes against Iran.
Relocating forces and equipment westward—to Jordan, Israel, or Saudi Arabia—could help alleviate some of the pressure. However, Michael Ratney, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, noted that this is not a perfect solution. While some in Washington advocate for transferring large forces to Israel, the report highlights a dispute over concerns that an expanded American presence could expose the US to Israeli espionage.
An NBC report from two months ago indicated that the Pentagon has grown increasingly concerned about Israeli espionage, recently raising the counter-intelligence threat level from Israel to its highest point. This step comes amid rising tensions between Jerusalem and Washington regarding the campaign against Iran.
Gulf states, which have relied on US forces for decades, may find themselves unable to defend against Iranian attacks if US forces are reduced. Developing independent capabilities or new partnerships to compensate for this shortfall could take years. Discussions within the administration include CENTCOM commander Admiral Bradley Cooper, who supports the possibility of moving forces further west, away from the Persian Gulf.
Before the war began in February, CENTCOM evacuated many of its bases, deeming them too vulnerable. A source familiar with the deployment adjustments indicated that some of these changes in location will likely persist even after the war.
"Iran believes we are in the usual locations, — the source said, refraining from detailing the changes to protect personnel. — But we are not there."
