U.S. Middle East bases show vulnerabilities after Iranian missile and drone attacks
Updated
Updated · Stars and Stripes · Apr 29
U.S. Middle East bases show vulnerabilities after Iranian missile and drone attacks
8 articles · Updated · Stars and Stripes · Apr 29
In Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, six weeks of strikes damaged radar, hangars, warehouses and command centres, while at least seven US troops were reported killed.
Bahrain's NAVCENT headquarters and support buildings were heavily hit, prompting a major evacuation of military families, while officials say repairs will require significant resources and normal operations remain unclear.
Analysts say the war may force Washington and Gulf hosts to rethink basing, deterrence and security guarantees, as ceasefire efforts falter and questions grow over reliance on exposed facilities near Iran.
With its defenses shattered by Iranian drones, can the U.S. military still protect its forces and allies in the Middle East?
Backed by China and Russia, Iran has humbled the U.S. military. Will Gulf allies now abandon Washington for new partners?
The world's oil lifeline is severed. Is the global economy headed for a catastrophic collapse following the Hormuz closure?
$2-5 Billion in Damage and 3,600 Dead: The 2025-26 Iranian Assault on U.S. Military Installations
Overview
Between late 2025 and early 2026, Iran launched coordinated attacks on U.S. military bases in the Gulf, using missiles, drone swarms, and manned jets to overwhelm defenses and exploit radar gaps. These strikes caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, killed and wounded personnel, and resulted in billions of dollars in repair costs. The attacks exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. defense systems, worsened by foreign support from Russia and China. Gulf allies reacted with security concerns, prompting debates on U.S. base relocations and demands for stronger regional defense. Globally, the attacks triggered a major reassessment of U.S. military posture, accelerating development of new countermeasures and reshaping defense strategies amid rising tensions and energy security risks.