NEWS
US Considers Relocating Key Middle East Military Operations to Israel Amid Rising Iran Threat
The United States is reportedly weighing a major strategic shift in its military posture in the Middle East by considering the relocation of key operational systems from Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to Israel, as concerns grow over the vulnerability of its Gulf bases to Iranian missile and drone attacks.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal published last Thursday, the proposed move is part of a broader review by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) following extensive damage inflicted on several American military installations across the region during the recent conflict with Iran.
One of the leading proposals under consideration is the establishment of a new large-scale American military base in Israel’s Negev Desert capable of accommodating US Army forces. Another option involves expanding one of Israel’s existing air force bases in the Negev and creating a dedicated American military compound within the facility.
The relocation plan comes after Iranian strikes reportedly damaged at least 20 US military sites across the Middle East since the outbreak of the war, with the US Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain among the hardest hit. Bahrain has hosted the US Navy’s central operations in the Middle East for more than five decades.
Military officials estimate that rebuilding the damaged facilities at NSA Bahrain alone would cost approximately $400 million, excluding the removal of debris and reconstruction of critical communications infrastructure, including satellite communication terminals and command facilities. Some of the destroyed structures may not be rebuilt, with military planners instead considering relocating key command and control facilities underground to improve protection.
The US Department of Defense and the US Army are also said to be planning to extend their logistics and supply agreements with Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through 2030, with the possibility of further extensions.
The review of America’s regional military footprint follows repeated warnings from Iran. In May, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the United States could no longer rely on its military bases in the Middle East as safe operational hubs, insisting America would no longer have secure bases in the region.
Although the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the full extent of the damage sustained by its installations in Bahrain, CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins maintained that American forces inflicted greater losses on Iran than they suffered themselves. He stated that protecting personnel remained the military’s top priority, noting that despite thousands of Iranian missiles and drones being launched, only two strikes resulted in American fatalities.
US officials told The Wall Street Journal that the scale of the attacks has prompted Washington to reassess its long-term military presence across the Middle East.
Despite discussions about relocating some operations, retired Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, a former US Navy commander in the region, believes Washington is unlikely to abandon Bahrain entirely because of the longstanding strategic partnership between both countries.
Within Israel, several security officials have reportedly welcomed the prospect of a permanent American military presence, arguing that it would strengthen military cooperation and deepen strategic ties between both nations while enhancing regional air defense capabilities.
However, no final decision has been announced by the United States.
Analysts say relocating more American forces to Israel could also improve Washington’s operational reach by providing easier access to the US Civil-Military Coordination Center at Kiryat Gat, while enabling closer monitoring of developments in Gaza and across the wider Middle East.
The anticipated visit of CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper to Israel later this week is also expected to focus on negotiations surrounding the Lebanon ceasefire and discussions on the future withdrawal lines of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, where differences remain between Israel, the Lebanese government and Hezbollah over the scope of any withdrawal.
The growing American military presence in Israel has already created logistical challenges. During the 2026 Iran war, Ben-Gurion Airport served as a base for US Air Force refueling aircraft, placing significant pressure on Israel’s civilian aviation operations and limiting the flexibility of its airspace.
Israeli aviation officials have expressed concerns over the arrangement, with Civil Aviation Authority Director Shmuel Zakai reportedly describing Ben-Gurion Airport as functioning like a US military base because of the continuous presence of American aircraft.
The increased military activity has also reportedly resulted in financial losses estimated at about NIS 700 million for the Israel Airports Authority.
To reduce pressure on civilian airport operations, reports indicate that US Air Force aircraft are expected to be relocated from Ben-Gurion Airport to Israeli Air Force bases, while Israeli military personnel stationed at those bases would be transferred to other facilities across the country.