Washington: As tensions flare in the Middle East, the Pentagon is grappling with growing concern over the safety of roughly 40,000 to 50,000 American troops and personnel stationed across 19 locations, from Bahrain to Syria. These forces could become targets if Washington joins Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

According to TRTworld.com, Iran has warned of retaliating against American bases in the region with ballistic missiles and drones. Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated on June 11 that if nuclear negotiations fail and conflict arises with the United States, Iran will strike American bases in the region. This warning came before Israel launched surprise attacks on Iran.

The Pentagon has been coordinating closely with the Joint Staff, CENTCOM, and every combatant command to ensure maximum force protection against any potential threats. However, some lawmakers remain skeptical. Senator Richard Blumenthal has voiced concerns about the Pentagon’s ability to defend against drone swarms, criticizing the current defenses as insufficient.

The heightened state of alert follows Israel’s surprise military strikes on Iran, which began on June 13. These strikes resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

The recent developments echo the events of January 2020, when Iran responded to the US killing of General Qasem Soleimani with a missile attack on American troops in Iraq, injuring about 100 personnel. While negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program remain fragile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to escalate the situation, with critics suggesting his actions aim to provoke a broader conflict involving the United States.

In response, the Pentagon has redeployed military assets and additional weapons across the region. Forces in Qatar, home to the largest US base in the Middle East, have been bolstered, and the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group has been repositioned. Pentagon officials have emphasized that these forces are in a defensive posture.

US President Donald Trump has not formally committed to the Israeli offensive but has hinted at possible military involvement, stating ambiguously, “I may do it. I may not do it.”