Nearly six months after the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, the Pentagon is reportedly reassessing its military presence across the Middle East. While initial projections from Washington estimated the conflict would conclude within four to six weeks, the war has persisted for five months and 21 days. Despite frequent shifts in official timelines—ranging from claims that operations were “ahead of schedule” to assertions that the campaign would continue “as long as necessary”—the conflict remains active at a low intensity.
The ongoing military engagement, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, has resulted in significant attrition for US forces. Official estimates suggest the war’s cost will reach $37.5 billion by the end of September 2026. Military records indicate 18 confirmed US deaths and between 600 and 900 personnel wounded. Furthermore, the US has sustained substantial equipment losses, including dozens of drones, several fighter jets, and tankers. Since the start of the year, Washington has conducted over 13,000 strikes on Iranian targets while deploying additional warships and air defense systems to the region.
Iran’s response to the initial February offensive—which resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, much of the country’s top military leadership, and hundreds of civilians—has been persistent. Tehran has asserted its presence in the Strait of Hormuz and launched continuous missile and drone strikes against US assets. Although many of these munitions were intercepted, satellite imagery and official reports confirm damage to critical infrastructure, including radar systems, air defense installations, hangars, fuel depots, and communications networks.
According to reports from The Washington Post, the damage sustained by US bases has prompted the Pentagon to consider whether some facilities should be rebuilt in their current form. Eight individuals familiar with the matter indicated that the Defense Department is currently reviewing its regional footprint. This internal discussion is being led by the Pentagon’s policy office, with input from the Joint Staff and US Central Command, which typically oversees approximately 40,000 troops across 20 sites ranging from Jordan to Oman.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not yet ordered a formal review, though a senior official characterized the current deliberations as “prudent planning” to guide future infrastructure decisions. The debate has intensified internal divisions within the administration, pitting those who advocate for continued military intervention against officials who argue that the Pentagon should reduce its security commitments to focus on domestic defense or deterring other global adversaries, such as China.
Admiral Bradley Cooper, head of US Central Command, is among those involved in discussions regarding a potential shift in strategy. One proposal under consideration involves moving US troops westward, away from the Gulf, to locations such as Jordan, Israel, or the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Michael Ratney, a former US envoy to Saudi Arabia and deputy chief of mission in Qatar, noted that the war has exposed the vulnerability of US forces in the Gulf. While he suggested that a westward redeployment could alleviate pressure, he cautioned that increased distance is not a “perfect solution to this problem.”
The strategic review comes as diplomatic efforts remain in a state of flux. Although the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June through mediation by Qatar and Pakistan, which established a 60-day window for negotiations, hostilities have not ceased. Missiles and drones continue to transit the region, and talks have largely stalled due to disagreements over the implementation of the agreement and the management of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy exports.
The Gulf remains the primary hub for permanent US military infrastructure in the region, housing the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and significant Army and Air Force installations in countries like Kuwait. As the Pentagon weighs its options, the outcome of these discussions could fundamentally reshape the American military posture in the Middle East. The report also notes that when the US and Israel joined forces to attack Iran on February 28, Washington initially stated that the war with Iran was projected to last four to six weeks. The report also notes that five months and 21 days later, the war — although at a low intensity — continues despite repeated ceasefire attempts. The report also notes that the US news outlet added that one of the key areas the Defense Department is assessing is whether to pull back troops from the Gulf, “where America’s large overseas military bases have been battered by months of Iranian strikes. The report also notes that the war really did highlight the vulnerability.
