The US has several bases and military assets in the Middle East that Iran could target in retaliation for the strikes President Trump ordered earlier today.
Here are a few of the ones Iran may target:
- Al Udeid Air Base — located in Qatar, it’s the largest US military base in the Middle East
- US Navy Fifth Fleet — its headquarters is in Bahrain and is a critical asset in the Persian Gulf
- Al Asad Air Base — a US base in Iraq that Iran targeted in 2020 after the killing of Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani
There are several other key bases and assets in the region. Iran could hit US embassies in nearby countries such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates or even Israel.
Although not a US asset per se, Iran could also try to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical potential chokehold where about 25% of the world’s oil consumption and roughly a third of the world’s liquefied natural gas flows.