The U.S. is evaluating a smaller military presence in the Persian Gulf following the war with Iran, according to a report citing officials familiar with the discussions. Planners are weighing whether to rebuild damaged bases or replace them with a more dispersed network, though no changes have been approved yet.
CENTCOM currently maintains about 40,000 personnel across nearly 20 sites from Jordan to Oman, including the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and major facilities in Kuwait. Iranian attacks have reportedly destroyed or damaged over 200 U.S. facilities, killing 10 service members since March. Any reduction could reshape regional security, though arms sales and intelligence sharing may continue with fewer troops.
Options under review include relocating forces to Jordan, Israel, or Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, closing exposed facilities in Kuwait, or consolidating operations at Prince Sultan Air Base in Riyadh. Analysts also propose expanding the U.S. presence at Israel’s Ovda Airbase. The Pentagon estimates the war’s costs could reach $37.5 billion by September, excluding base repairs, which may require an additional $5 billion.
