The military operation that the US launched today against Iran has already provoked the first retaliatory missile strike against a US base in Bahrain, one of many Pentagon military sites in the Middle East that are likely to be retaliated by Tehran, reported Agence France-Presse.
Bahrain
The small kingdom in the Persian Gulf is home to a large naval base, which houses the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. This is the base that was hit by a missile attack today, Bahraini authorities said.
This deep-sea port can accommodate the largest American vessels, such as aircraft carriers. The US Navy has been using the base since 1948.
Several US vessels are currently docked in Bahrain. These include minesweepers, logistical support ships and small fast-response cruisers for the Coast Guard.
Qatar
Explosions were also heard near the US base "Al Udeid" in Qatar, which is the largest in the Middle East. In addition to several command posts, it houses fighter jets, as well as aircraft for transport, in-flight refueling and reconnaissance.
Iran had already fired missiles at "Al Udeid" in July last year, when the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iraq
The US has deployed troops to the autonomous Iranian Kurdistan region as part of the international coalition to fight the "Islamic State" group, but their mission is expected to end by September this year under an agreement between Washington and Baghdad.
US forces have already withdrawn from other bases in Iraq, whose government maintains close relations with Iran but is also a strategic partner of Washington in accordance with the same agreement.
US forces in Iraq and Syria have repeatedly been targeted by pro-Iranian militants since Israel began its war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. Washington then responded with heavy strikes on targets linked to Tehran, and the attacks have largely ceased since then.
Kuwait
On the territory of Kuwait is home to several US bases, including Camp Arifjan, home to US Central Command in the Middle East.
The US military also maintains ammunition depots in Kuwait. The Ali al-Salem Air Base is home to a large expeditionary squadron, as well as MQ-9 Reapers.
United Arab Emirates
The US has a large expeditionary squadron at Al Dhafra Air Base, which also includes MQ-9 Reapers. Fighter jets also sometimes land at the base.
Syria
For years, the United States has maintained a military presence at a series of sites in Syria as part of international efforts to combat the jihadist group "Islamic State".
But those troops are already being withdrawn from the country, with the last American units expected to leave Syria within a month, several sources told AFP.