Pentagon considering reducing military presence in Gulf

According to the Washington Post (WP) newspaper, based on 8 sources, including officials and other experts on the subject, the Pentagon is considering reducing its military presence in the Gulf.

In its analysis, which is not yet at the level of official review, the Pentagon's policy office is examining projections for reducing the military presence spread across different Gulf states after the end of the war with Iran.

The investigation in question is closely followed by the General Staff and the US Central Command (CENTCOM), and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is personally monitoring the process.

A US official said Cooper, who attended the talks, supported discussions about the possibility of moving US troops west from the Persian Gulf.

Stating that the analysis in question must first receive approval from higher authorities before it can become the Pentagon's policy, US officials stated that this analysis is at an early examination level at this stage.

Reducing military presence in the Persian Gulf is being considered

The report stated that one of the key issues the Pentagon is considering is whether to withdraw troops from the Persian Gulf, where US overseas military bases have been heavily damaged due to months-long Iranian attacks.

It was reported that another important topic was whether the damaged US bases in the region would be reconstructed.

Under the command of CENTCOM, which carries out US military operations in the Middle East, 40 thousand US soldiers serve in approximately 20 bases in the region extending from Jordan to Oman.

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, while other countries such as Kuwait also host Ground Force and Air Force assets.