Where the U.S. Has Built Its Military Footprint Across the Middle East

The United States maintains a vast and strategically placed network of military bases across the Middle East, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.

These installations form the backbone of Washington’s military presence in one of the world’s most volatile regions. With Iran warning that US facilities could be targeted if conflict erupts, the location and role of these bases have moved back into global focus.

Key hubs include Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which patrols vital shipping lanes in the Gulf and Red Sea. Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base serves as the forward headquarters of US Central Command, directing American military operations across much of the Middle East and Central Asia.

Kuwait hosts major Army and Air Force installations that support operations in Iraq and Syria, while the UAE’s Al Dhafra Air Base plays a critical role in air power and surveillance.

Inside Iraq, US forces operate from Ain Al Asad and Erbil Air Base, supporting Iraqi security forces and NATO missions.

Saudi Arabia hosts US air defense systems, including Patriot and THAAD missile batteries, while Jordan’s Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base anchors operations across the Levant.

Together, these bases illustrate how deeply the US is embedded in Middle Eastern security.