The US Department of Defence is reportedly studying plans to relocate both defensive and offensive military assets from Gulf states to Israel, according to the Hebrew news outlet Walla. The reported review follows growing concerns within the US military that its bases across the Gulf have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks by Iran and groups aligned with it.
According to the report, the proposal could lead to an expanded long term US military presence in the region. Options under consideration include enlarging an existing airbase in the Negev or constructing a fully operational American airbase inside Israel.
The report states that during the height of the recent conflict with Iran, the United States deployed more than 6,000 troops to Israel. Some of those personnel were stationed at Israeli military facilities, where they operated air defence systems and carried out maintenance on US aircraft that had been relocated from Gulf countries.
The aircraft were reportedly transferred out of the Gulf over concerns they could become targets for Iranian drones, short range projectiles or missile attacks.
Walla also reported that Israel’s Ministry of Defence has received notifications regarding the renewal of related contracts through to 2030. While opinions reportedly differ within Israel’s security establishment, some officials view the establishment of permanent US military facilities in Israel as a strategically significant move.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal cited informed sources as saying that extensive damage sustained by American military bases across the Middle East had prompted the Pentagon to reassess the overall deployment of US forces throughout the region.
According to the report, US military officials are currently examining plans to upgrade the naval facility in Bahrain while also considering reducing the American military presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. They are additionally assessing the possibility of relocating some military installations beyond the reach of Iranian missiles and drones, with Israel reportedly being considered as one of the potential locations.
