US and Iran near military conflict: Key US bases in West Asia, why they matter and how they could be targeted

Forward Operating Base (FOB) Hammer, typical of a semi-permanent base in Iraq. (AP File Photo)

US-Iran tensions are rising, with threats of military action. Iran warns US bases in West Asia are within missile range. Key US military sites in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria, and UAE could be targeted, risking rapid regional escalation.

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Tensions between the United States and Iran are rising sharply, raising fears that the long-running rivalry between the two could escalate into direct military conflict. President Donald Trump has said Washington is “ready, willing and able” to strike Iran, while Tehran has warned it would deliver a “crushing response” if attacked.

Iranian officials have made it clear that any retaliation would likely focus on US military assets in the region. Iran’s army spokesman has warned that American bases across West Asia are “within the range of our medium-range missiles.” The United States maintains tens of thousands of troops and major military facilities across the region, all operating under US Central Command, also known as Centcom.

Below is a look at the key locations where US forces are stationed in West Asia and why they matter.

Bahrain

Bahrain hosts one of the most important US naval facilities in the region. Naval Support Activity Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command.

The base sits next to a deep water port capable of hosting the largest American warships, including aircraft carriers. The US Navy has operated from Bahrain since 1948, when the facility was still under British control.

Several US ships are permanently based in Bahrain, including anti mine warfare vessels and logistical support ships, making the country a central hub for American naval operations in the Gulf.

Iraq

The United States maintains a military presence in Iraq, primarily in the country’s autonomous Kurdish region. These troops are part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group, although their mission is expected to end by September under an agreement between Washington and Baghdad.

American forces have already withdrawn from bases in federal Iraq under the same deal. Iraq’s government maintains close ties with Iran, even as it continues to cooperate with the United States on security matters.

After the Gaza war began in October 2023, US troops in Iraq and neighboring Syria were repeatedly attacked by pro Iran armed groups. The United States responded with strikes on targets linked to Tehran, and the attacks later declined.

Kuwait

Kuwait hosts several major US military installations. One of the most important is Camp Arifjan, which serves as the forward headquarters for the US Army component of Centcom. The US military also stores large amounts of equipment and supplies in the country.

Ali al Salem Air Base is another key site. It hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, described by the US military as the main airlift hub for moving forces and supplies across the region. The United States also operates drones from Kuwait, including MQ 9 Reapers.

Qatar

Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, one of the largest US military bases outside the United States. The base hosts the forward headquarters of Centcom, along with its air forces and special operations units.

Al Udeid supports a wide range of missions, including airlift, aerial refueling, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation. Rotating US combat aircraft are regularly deployed there.

The base has already been targeted in the past. Iran fired missiles at Al Udeid in June last year following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Syria

The United States has kept troops in Syria for several years as part of efforts to defeat the Islamic State group, which once controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq.

The risks facing US forces there remain high. In December, two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in Syria in an attack that was blamed on the Islamic State group, underlining the dangers of operating in the country.

United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, the United States operates from Al Dhafra Air Base. The base hosts the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which includes 10 aircraft squadrons and drone units such as MQ 9 Reapers.

Al Dhafra also serves as a key centre for advanced air warfare training. US combat aircraft rotate through the base, making it another critical location in any potential regional conflict.

As tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise, these bases highlight how deeply embedded US military forces are across West Asia, and why any conflict with Iran could quickly spread across the region.