Gulf monarchical governments are not allowing Washington to use US military bases on their territory to retaliate against Iranian attacks.
US Gulf allies are working to prevent attacks against Tehran or its proxies from bases inside their countries, according to sources in the Middle East.
Since the outbreak of tensions, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait have said they will not allow US warplanes to fly over their airspace if the US retaliates against Iran, a senior US official said.
The US has invested in Gulf military bases for decades. Their proximity to Iran makes these airfields the most convenient launching pads for the United States against the Islamic Republic.
Current and former US officials say the Gulf monarchies’ reluctance is complicating the Biden administration’s preparations against Iran.
The US has at least 40,000 troops in the Middle East. Most are located in the oil-rich Gulf countries. There are US strategic air and naval bases there.
Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia is home to the US 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, which is home to F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.
The US operates MQ-9 Reaper drones and fighter jets from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The US 386th Air Expeditionary Wing is based at Ali Al-Salem Air Base, Kuwait. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is home to US Central Command’s regional headquarters.
The island nation of Bahrain is home to about 9,000 U.S. troops who are part of the U.S. Navy’s Central Command and the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
The United Arab Emirates stopped launching US retaliatory strikes against Iranian proxies from its air bases.
