The situation in the Middle East appears to be rapidly deteriorating as after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Saturday, Tehran has retaliated with strength and has told the United Nation that it will stop only after aggression is ceased.
The US and Israel, on the other hand, remain firm and not likely to blink first. Iran in its strike has targeted the United States' bases in the Middle East.
The Iranian military has claimed it has attacked a US naval base in Bahrain. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that US bases and assets were being targeted as part of Operation "Truthful Promise 4." Meanwhile, the US urged its citizens in the United Arab Emirates, Doha, and Bahrain to stay indoors.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran will use all military options for self-defense. He spoke with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq, stating that Iran will take all steps within its legal rights to protect its security.
Where are the American bases in the Middle East?
The US has several major military bases in the Middle East. Bahrain is the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, which monitors the Gulf and surrounding waters.
Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is a key base for the US Central Command. The US Air Force operates from Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. Dubai's Jebel Ali port is considered a key base for the US Navy.
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Ain al-Asad Air Base and Erbil Air Base in Iraq are also important to the US. Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia houses approximately 2,300 US troops, while Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan is considered crucial for US operations. While the US military has yet to officially comment on the attacks, tensions in the region continue to rise.