US weighs scaling back Middle East military presence after months of Iranian attacks - report

The US is considering reducing its military footprint in the Middle East following the war with Iran, according to a Washington Post report. The Pentagon's policy office is leading evaluations, with CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper supporting discussions on relocating Gulf troops westward. The move could cause a rift between hawkish and dovish administration factions. Some bases damaged by Iranian attacks may not be rebuilt.

The US is weighing a reduction of its military presence in the Middle East in the wake of the war with Iran, according to a Washington Post report published Tuesday, citing several officials. The Pentagon's policy office is leading the current evaluations, with the Joint Staff and US Central Command (CENTCOM) also participating. The issue is expected to create a rift between hawkish administration members favoring more intervention and a dovish, non-interventionist camp. CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper has been involved in the discussions and supports discussing the relocation of Gulf troops westward. The Persian Gulf is a major arena for potential cuts, and the US is considering not rebuilding bases damaged by Iran during the recent fighting. Many of these bases were evacuated in February before the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, as they were considered vulnerable to drone and missile attacks. After the launch of Operation Epic Fury, Iran responded with attacks on Gulf states housing US troops, launching thousands of ballistic missiles and one-way drones over months. As of August, 19 American soldiers had been killed and hundreds injured, many in strikes on these bases. A CENTCOM spokesperson declined to comment on the report.