What Are the Main U.S. Military Bases in the Middle East?

June 22 (Reuters) – Following U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Tehran has vowed retaliation—raising concerns that American military installations across the region could be potential targets.

Here’s a look at the major U.S. military bases in the Middle East:

BAHRAIN

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Its strategic reach covers the Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

QATAR

Located in the desert outside Doha, the 24-hectare Al Udeid Air Base serves as the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). It directs military operations across a vast area from Egypt to Kazakhstan. Al Udeid is the largest U.S. base in the Middle East and is home to around 10,000 troops.

KUWAIT

Kuwait is home to several key installations, including Camp Arifjan, the forward headquarters of U.S. Army Central. Nearby is Ali Al Salem Air Base, just 40 kilometers from the Iraqi border and nicknamed "The Rock" for its remote, rugged terrain.
Camp Buehring, established during the 2003 Iraq War, serves as a staging ground for U.S. Army units deploying to Iraq and Syria.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Al Dhafra Air Base, located south of Abu Dhabi and shared with the UAE Air Force, is a vital U.S. Air Force facility. It has played a key role in missions against ISIS and reconnaissance operations across the region.
While not an official base, Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port is the U.S. Navy’s largest port of call in the Middle East, regularly accommodating aircraft carriers and other naval vessels.

IRAQ

The U.S. maintains a presence at Ain Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar province. It supports Iraqi security forces and contributes to NATO operations. The base was targeted by Iranian missile strikes in 2020, following the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
In northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Erbil Air Base acts as a hub for U.S. and coalition training, intelligence sharing, and logistical operations. It plays a crucial role in U.S. efforts to maintain stability and readiness in the region.

SAUDI ARABIA

As of 2024, about 2,321 U.S. troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia, operating in coordination with the Saudi government. They provide air and missile defense support and assist in the operation of U.S. military aircraft.
Many are based at Prince Sultan Air Base, about 60 kilometers south of Riyadh. The base hosts advanced air defense systems, including Patriot missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) units.

JORDAN

Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base, located in Azraq about 100 kilometers northeast of Amman, hosts the U.S. Air Forces Central's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. According to a 2024 Library of Congress report, the wing conducts operations across the Levant, supporting regional stability and combat missions.

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