The United States is examining options to reshape its military and intelligence presence in the Middle East in preparation for the possibility that the conflict with Iran will end. CNN reported, citing six sources, that the assessments are contingent on the Washington administration potentially succeeding in ending the conflict.
The U.S. military has prepared various plans to change the structure of its forces in the region as early as next year. However, no formal force-posture review has yet been launched.
The United States has approximately 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers and more than 12 guided-missile destroyers in the Middle East. This military and intelligence presence was significantly expanded in the region after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Personnel and facility options under consideration
Senior Pentagon officials are considering reducing troop numbers in some Gulf countries and leaving regional partners with a larger share of the defense responsibility. At the same time, they are working on measures to strengthen the protection of the U.S. forces expected to remain in the region.
These measures include moving some military facilities underground to protect them against Iranian missile and drone attacks. Iran's attacks during the conflict highlighted vulnerabilities in the defenses of U.S. facilities. A U.S. official said these vulnerabilities had been known for a long time but that Washington had not responded to them with sufficient urgency.
Iran's attacks rendered a CIA station in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, unusable and also damaged U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
U.S. officials are also examining whether some intelligence and special operations missions could be conducted 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Under this model, personnel and equipment would be sent from the United States to the region for specific missions and withdrawn after the missions were completed.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, citing the cost. Pentagon Comptroller Jules "Jay" Hurst III said in April that decisions on whether to repair the damaged facilities would partly depend on Washington's future regional posture.
Some major bases expected to remain
Talks between the United States and Iran aimed at reaching an agreement are continuing, while the two sides remain far from a compromise. Iran continued to target U.S. forces and bases, including American facilities in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Although Pentagon officials are discussing the option of a smaller military presence, they expect the United States to retain some of its large, permanent bases in the Middle East. Host countries may also be asked to contribute to facilities whose reconstruction costs could reach billions of dollars.
U.S. forces could remain vulnerable to Iranian attacks in the near term. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle said last week that U.S. Navy personnel would not return to Bahrain, the traditional headquarters of the 5th Fleet, anytime soon.
"We will not be going back there anytime soon."
