Smoke still seen rising from Bahrain’s Juffair area, which houses the U.S. Navy base.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026
Juffair hosts Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain, the main U.S. Navy base in the Persian Gulf.
It is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and the U.S. 5th Fleet. pic.twitter.com/rfcear8OEK
Bahrain
The crown jewel of U.S. naval power in the Gulf, Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet. From here, operations stretch across the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean a vital nerve center for American maritime dominance.Qatar
Outside Doha lies the sprawling Al Udeid Air Base, spanning 24 hectares in the desert sands. Housing nearly 10,000 troops, it serves as a forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command, monitoring operations from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east. Its sheer scale makes it the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.Kuwait
Kuwait hosts several U.S. facilities, including Camp Arifjan, a forward headquarters for U.S. Army Central. Nearby, Ali Al Salem Air Base nicknamed ‘The Rock’ for its isolated and rugged location about 40 kilometers from the Iraqi border plays a strategic role in regional operations.United Arab Emirates
The Al Dhafra Air Base, south of Abu Dhabi and jointly used with the UAE Air Force, functions as a critical hub for American intelligence and air missions. It has supported operations against ISIS and facilitated surveillance across the wider region. While Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port is not a formal military base, it is a bustling gateway for U.S. naval vessels, including aircraft carriers and other combat ships.Iraq
In western Anbar province, the U.S. maintains a presence at Al Asad Air Base, supporting Iraqi security forces and contributing to NATO missions. The base remains a cornerstone of American military logistics in Iraq.Saudi Arabia
As of 2024, the United States stationed 2,321 troops in Saudi Arabia, collaborating with the kingdom to provide air and missile defense capabilities. Some are deployed at Prince Sultan Air Base, 60 kilometers south of Riyadh, where advanced systems including Patriot missile batteries and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) are operational.Jordan
The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Azraq, roughly 100 kilometers northeast of Amman, hosts the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing of the U.S. Air Force Central. According to a 2024 Library of Congress report, this unit is actively engaged in military missions across Syria and the surrounding region.
The renewed attacks on Iran underscore the strategic significance of these installations. They are not just military outposts but pivotal nodes in the U.S. network of influence, shaping both the balance of power and the fragile peace in the Middle East.
