American troops in the Middle East face the risk of attack while Trump weighs Iran’s strike

American troops based in the Middle East could face an increase in attacks in the coming days or weeks, if the United States decides to get involved in the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that President Donald Trump would make a decision over the next two weeks if the United States was going forward and would be part of Iranian nuclear installations.

“Yes, I can do it. I may not be doing it,” said Trump on Wednesday. “I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran has a lot of problems and that they want to negotiate.”

Meanwhile, Iran has published a clear message: this will take place with consequences. Iran warned that the United States will suffer if he chooses to get involved in the conflict, and previously delivered reprisal strikes against the bases where American troops were hosted after the United States killed an Iranian first general in 2020.

“The Americans should know that any American military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,” Iran’s supreme chief said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday.

The Pentagon strengthened its forces in the Middle East in the light of increasing tensions, in particular by sending the Nimitz aircraft carrier of the Southern China Sea to reach Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in the Middle East.

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The Pentagon strengthened its forces in the Middle East in the light of increasing tensions. (Mario Tama)

The Pentagon referred Fox News Digital to the Declaration of the Defense Ministry of Defense, Sean Parnell, on Monday according to which the American forces remain in a “defensive posture” and that the announcement of Hegseth that more forces had been deployed in the Middle East.

“The protection of American forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to improve our defensive posture in the region,” HegSeth said on Monday.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-CONN., Hegseth pressed on Wednesday for more details on the emergency plans in force of drones in the middle of increasing tensions in the Middle East. Three American soldiers were killed in an unmanned drone attack in Jordan in January 2024 which was attributed to a militia supported by the body of the Islamic guard.

“I have no assurance that we have the capacity to safeguard against a swarm of light and slow little drones which are, in my opinion, our main vulnerability, and at the moment, if we are committing to the Iranian conflict, would put us the American staff and staff there,” said Bumenthal on Wednesday.

The United States currently has more than 40,000 American troops and civilians from the Defense Department stationed in the Middle East. Here are some of the countries where American soldiers are based and could face increased threats:

Iraq

According to the Ministry of Defense, around 2,500 American soldiers are stationed in Iraq in September 2024 and are assigned to the combined resolution of the joint working group – inherent operation, according to the Ministry of Defense. Their role in Iraq is to advise and support the forces of partners in the region to defeat the Islamic State.

After the 2020 American air strike, which killed Iranian Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, Iranian forces launched ballistic missile attacks at Erbil air base and Ain Al-Asad air base in Iraq, where American troops are stationed.

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US military soldiers train at Ain Al-Asad air base in western Iraq. (American army)

Jordan

According to the Ministry of Defense, around 350 American troops are deployed in Jordan in a remote military base known as Tower 22, according to the Ministry of Defense.

In January 2024, three soldiers were killed and 40 others were injured when an unrelated to one -way air system struck the Tower 22.

In May, ten soldiers from the New York National Guard of the Army received Purple Heart for the injuries they suffered during the attack. The Pentagon blamed a militia supported by Iran for the attack.

Kuwait

The United States is currently operating five bases in Kuwait: Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Camp Buehring, Camp Patriot and Camp Sermi.

In January, around 13,500 American soldiers were based there and mainly focused on eliminating the threat of the Islamic State, according to the United States Department of State.

Qatar

Qatar hosts the registered office of the US Central Command at the Al Udeid air base, which houses the Air Force 379th Air Expedition, which has nicknamed the “largest and various wing” in command. The wing includes air transport, air supply, surveillance and recognition and aeromedical evacuation assets, according to the central command of air forces.

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President Donald Trump arrives to contact the troops at the Al Udeid air base in the southwest of Doha, Qatar, on May 15, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images)

Bahrain

Naval Forces Central Command is based in Manama, Bahrain, where she directs a coalition of regional and international partners who focus on supporting working groups targeting the fight against terrorism, counter-piracy and maritime security in the region.

The Navy created a base for the first time in Bahrain in 1971, which has hosted the central order of naval forces since 1983.

United Arab Emirates

Only 20 miles south of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is the Air Base of Al Dhafra, which houses the 380th Air Force Air wing.

The wing includes unmanned planes, including the Global Hawk RQ-4, a remote-controlled surveillance aircraft.