LETEST NEWS

US bombs Iran's nuclear sites: Tehran may hit these key American bases in retaliation

With tensions at a boiling point, attention now turns to the extensive network of US military bases and assets across the Middle East, many of which lie within striking distance of Iran or its proxy forces.

1. The war between Iran and Israel has taken a major turn after US President Donald Trump confirmed that American warplanes bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, including the Fordow uranium enrichment plant, a key part of Tehran’s atomic infrastructure buried deep within a mountainside near Qom. This marks the first time the United States has directly struck Iran’s nuclear facilities since hostilities began – a move certain to provoke serious retaliation from Tehran                                                                                        
2. With tensions at a boiling point, attention now turns to the extensive network of US military bases and assets across the Middle East, many of which lie within striking distance of Iran or its proxy forces. These bases are now potential targets for Iranian missile, drone, or proxy attacks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar: It is the largest US military base in the Middle East, that hosts over 10,000 American personnel and is a hub for US air operations across the region. Its scale and logistical value make it a top-tier strategic target. Iran has previously threatened to target US assets in Qatar if directly attacked.                                                                                                                                                            Satellite images show dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes.                                                                                                                                                                      US Navy Fifth Fleet, Bahrain: It is the headquarters of US naval operations in the Persian Gulf and controls naval deployments, intelligence, and maritime security across the Gulf and Arabian Sea. Iran has repeatedly warned of closing the Strait of Hormuz, and the Fifth Fleet stands directly in the way of that ambition.                                                                                                                                              Al Asad Air Base, Iraq: It is one of the largest US bases in Iraq, housing thousands of troops. The base was famously hit by Iranian ballistic missiles in 2020 following the US killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani. It is symbolically and tactically valuable; a proven target in past confrontations.                                                                                                                                                                                      Harir Air Base, Erbil (Iraq’s Kurdish Region): This airbase is a key US presence in northern Iraq, which is frequently targeted by drone strikes from Iran-backed militias. Its proximity to Iran and the presence of US surveillance operations make it a likely retaliation site.                                                                                                                                  Al Tanf Garrison, Southern Syria: It is located at the tri-border junction of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. Just 12 miles south of Al Tanf, at Tower 22, three American troops were killed in January 2024 in a drone strike by Iranian proxies. It disrupts Iran's land route to Hezbollah in Lebanon and is a frequent flashpoint in Iran-US tensions.                                                                                                                  Ali Al-Salem Air Base, Kuwait: It is located roughly 20 miles from the Iraqi border and is home to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, responsible for airlift and logistics. Its close proximity to Iraq and visible US footprint make it a likely Iranian target in a broader escalation.                                                                                                                      Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE: It is a key base for F-22 Raptors, drones, and surveillance aircraft, and hosts the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, central to US air dominance in the Gulf. Advanced jets flying from here could be instrumental in any sustained US-Israel operation, making it a high-priority threat for Tehran.

   With Iran now likely to retaliate, either directly or through its proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, or Yemen, these bases are on heightened alert. While Washington has not confirmed whether more strikes are imminent, Iran’s strategic calculus has shifted, and US bases across the region could now become the next frontline in a spiralling regional war.