Threat to US bases in Middle East remains heightened following strikes on Iran
Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States, holding them accountable for the recent series of strikes carried out by Israel against Tehran. The strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, as well as top officials, raising concerns over potential retaliatory actions against U.S. bases near Iran.
In a letter to the United Nations Security Council, the U.N. Mission to Iran condemned the attacks, labeling Israel’s actions as a serious threat to international security. The strikes resulted in the deaths of four military commanders, one Iranian official involved in nuclear talks with the U.S., and two nuclear scientists.
The tensions escalated earlier this week when Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh issued a threat to target U.S. bases in the Middle East if Israel launched another direct strike on Iran. Nasirzadeh warned that all U.S. bases in the region were within Iran’s reach and would be targeted if conflict was imposed on them.
As a precautionary measure, the Trump administration announced a partial evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Iraq and authorized the departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East. The decision was made in anticipation of potential military escalation between Israel and Iran.
There are approximately 40,000 U.S. service members stationed throughout the Middle East, many of whom are in close proximity to Iran and could be targeted in the event of a conflict. The U.S. military has at least 19 sites spread across the region, with eight considered permanent installations.
Despite Iran’s lack of immediate response to Israel’s recent strikes, experts warn that the regime has the capability to target U.S. bases, as demonstrated in the past. Iran expert Benham Ben Taleblu emphasized the regime’s ability to launch precision strikes against U.S. bases, citing the 2020 missile attack on bases in Iraq following the killing of Qasem Soleimani.
Taleblu suggested that Iran may be strategically threatening the U.S. to exploit American desires for de-escalation and potentially drive a wedge between the U.S. and Israel. By positioning the U.S. as an observer rather than a participant in the conflict, Iran aims to weaken the alliance between the two countries.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the threat of military conflict looms large, with the potential for U.S. bases to become targets in any future escalation. The situation remains fluid, and diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation and maintain stability in the region.
