U.S. troops based in the Middle East could face increased attacks in the coming days or weeks, should the U.S. decide to become involved in the growing conflict between Israel and Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision in the next two weeks whether the U.S. will move forward and strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump has expressed that the U.S. may or may not proceed with military action, stating, ‘I may do it. I may not do it.’ This uncertainty has heightened concerns among U.S. military officials about the potential risks to troops stationed in the region. Iran has warned that any U.S. military intervention will result in significant consequences, including retaliation against U.S. bases. The country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has emphasized that such action would lead to ‘irreparable damage’ for the United States.
The Pentagon has deployed additional forces to bolster its presence in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier Nimitz, which has been moved from the South China Sea to join the carrier Carl Vinson. This move underscores the United States’ growing military emphasis on the region as the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates. The military is also reinforcing its defensive posture with the deployment of more troops and assets to safeguard its personnel.
In addition to the aircraft carrier deployments, the Pentagon has emphasized the need for contingency planning, especially in response to emerging threats such as drone attacks. Recent incidents involving unmanned aerial systems have raised alarms within the military. For instance, three U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack on an Air Force base in Jordan in January 2024, which was attributed to an Iranian-backed militia.
The U.S. currently maintains a significant military presence in the Middle East, with over 40,000 troops and civilians stationed across various locations. Notable bases include the Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, stationed at Erbil Air Base and Ain al-Asad Air Base, where past retaliatory strikes by Iran have occurred following the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
The military’s emphasis on defensive measures has also led to renewed concerns regarding the vulnerability to drone attacks, a major challenge in modern warfare. These fears are particularly heightened in light of the recent incident that resulted in casualties and has prompted the Pentagon to reassess its security strategies, including the deployment of additional forces to counter such threats.