The United States maintains numerous military bases and assets across the Middle East that Iran might consider targeting in response to the strikes ordered by President Trump earlier today.
Here are a few of the ones Iran may target:
- Al Udeid Air Base — located in Qatar, it’s the largest US military base in the Middle East
- US Navy Fifth Fleet — its headquarters is in Bahrain and is a critical asset in the Persian Gulf
- Al Asad Air Base — a US base in Iraq that Iran targeted in 2020 after the killing of Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani
In the region, there are other significant bases and assets. Iran might attack US embassies located in neighboring countries such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, or even Israel.
While not directly a US asset, Iran could make an attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage through which approximately 25% of global oil consumption and nearly a third of the world’s liquefied natural gas passes.
