US weighs scaling back Middle East military presence after months of Iranian attacks - report

The US is contemplating reducing its presence in the Middle East following months of Iranian attacks, according to a report by The Washington Post. Officials familiar with the matter suggest the Pentagon's policy office is leading the evaluations, with the Joint Staff and US Central Command (CENTCOM) also involved.

The decision could lead to a divide between hawkish administration members who favor more intervention and those who advocate for non-interventionism. CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper has reportedly taken part in the discussions, expressing support for relocating Gulf troops westward.

US bases were evacuated before the Iranian strikes in February. In some instances, the US is considering not rebuilding damaged bases. Many of these facilities were evacuated in February ahead of US and Israeli strikes, with US military personnel alleging they were vulnerable to drone and missile attacks.

Iran believes the US is operating in familiar locations, while CENTCOM officials stated that these bases were targeted due to perceived vulnerabilities. The US currently has troops and military infrastructure in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, as well as temporary facilities in other nations, such as Israel.

Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Gulf states housing US troops over several months. As of August, 19 American soldiers had been killed and hundreds injured in strikes on these bases.

The UAE warned residents of incoming ballistic missiles, later determined to be launched by Iran, although neither attack hit the nation. Iran's Foreign Ministry later rejected the report, suggesting a possible false-flag operation by the US or Israel.