The possibility of the conflict with Iran ending has prompted the administration in Washington to consider options for restructuring its permanent military and intelligence presence in the Middle East. CNN reported, citing six sources, that U.S. officials are conducting these assessments as part of steps that could be implemented if the conflict ends.
The effort points to the possibility of changes to the U.S. military and intelligence presence, which expanded significantly in the region after the September 11, 2001, attacks. The United States has about 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers and more than 12 guided-missile destroyers in the Middle East.
Option of fewer troops in the Gulf under consideration
The U.S. military has prepared several options that could allow the force structure in the region to be changed as early as next year. However, officials have not yet launched a formal force posture review.
Senior Pentagon officials are also considering reducing the number of U.S. troops in some Gulf countries and leaving a larger share of the defense responsibility to regional partners. At the same time, they are working on measures to strengthen protection for the U.S. forces expected to remain in the region.
The options under consideration include moving some military facilities underground to protect them from Iranian missile and drone attacks. The attacks carried out by Iran during the conflict have again highlighted vulnerabilities in the defenses of U.S. facilities.
A U.S. official said the vulnerabilities had been known for a long time but that Washington had not responded to them quickly enough.
CIA outpost in Riyadh rendered inoperable
Iranian attacks caused extensive damage to some American facilities in the region. A CIA outpost in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, was rendered inoperable, while U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were also struck.
U.S. officials are also examining whether intelligence and special operations missions can continue without permanent regional bases. Under this model, personnel and equipment would be sent from the United States to the region for specific missions and withdrawn after the missions were completed.
Washington may decide not to rebuild some facilities that were heavily damaged or destroyed in the attacks because of the cost. Pentagon Comptroller Jules “Jay” Hurst III said in April that decisions on whether to repair the damaged facilities would depend in part on Washington’s future regional posture.
Some permanent bases expected to remain
Talks aimed at reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran are continuing, but the two sides remain far from a settlement. Iran has continued targeting U.S. forces and bases, including American facilities in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Although Pentagon officials are discussing a smaller military presence, they expect the United States to retain some of its large, permanent bases in the Middle East. However, host countries may be asked to provide financial contributions for facilities whose reconstruction costs could reach billions of dollars.
U.S. forces could remain vulnerable to Iranian attacks in the near term. Navy Operations Commander Adm. Daryl Caudle said last week that U.S. Navy personnel would not return to Bahrain, the traditional headquarters of the Fifth Fleet, in the near future.
“We will not be going back there anytime soon.”
