Iran Changed the Equation? US Re-evaluates Its Presence in Kuwait

The United States is examining the possibility of reducing its military presence in Kuwait, according to a report published Friday in the Wall Street Journal. According to senior American officials, discussions at the Pentagon regarding the reduction of forces in the country began even before the outbreak of the war with Iran. However, since the attacks on American bases in Kuwait began, some of the forces were evacuated to reduce risk, and now in Kuwait, there is fear that this temporary move will become permanent.

During the decades that have passed since the liberation of Kuwait in the first Gulf War, the emirate became one of the central logistics hubs for the US military in the world. Thousands of American soldiers, Abrams tanks, and heavy equipment were stationed on its territory, and the military presence gave Kuwait a sense of security against regional threats—but the war with Iran has changed the rules of the game.

Tehran attacked Kuwait with hundreds of missiles and UAVs, targeting vital infrastructure—power stations, desalination plants, the international airport, and ports in the Persian Gulf. In addition, oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz were cut off. Although the US notes that air defense systems managed to intercept most of the attacks and save many lives, the American bases themselves became a target for repeated attacks—including an attack in March in which six American soldiers were killed.

Kuwait has so far managed to deal with the damage using reserves and emergency repairs, but the attacks exposed the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure and the risk of continued fighting. At the same time, they raised questions regarding the effectiveness of the American military presence in defending the country.

In the meantime, the US has begun to re-examine the scope of its military presence in Kuwait. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the Pentagon had already considered reducing forces even before the outbreak of the conflict, and in response to the Iranian attacks, it reduced its presence to mitigate risks. The assessment is that a large and permanent presence is not necessarily essential or wise from a military perspective in the current reality.

On the other hand, Kuwait emphasizes that it still needs a stable American commitment to its security. However, the country has already signed a new defense agreement with Pakistan and may act to expand its air defense array and purchase additional systems. The conflict with Iran has demonstrated that even a broad American military presence does not provide full protection.

More than 90% of the drinking water in Kuwait comes from desalination plants, some of which were damaged in the attacks, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz stopped oil exports—about 2 million barrels per day—and harmed the country's main source of income. "They are now caught in a difficult place," said Elizabeth Dent, a former senior Pentagon official. "They want the war to end, but they also want to put an end to any threat from Iran."

The security relationship between the US and Kuwait was built after the Gulf War, when Washington led an international coalition that pushed Iraqi forces out of the country. Since then, Kuwait has become a central logistics base for American military activity in the region, with thousands of soldiers stationed at various bases. However, now, in the face of the missile and UAV threat from Iran, the security reality is changing. What was considered for years an anchor of stability—the American presence—is also becoming a factor that attracts fire and raises questions regarding the way forward.