All the US bases in the middle east are being evacuated, and abandoned.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao publicly admitted that Iranian forces “blew the hell out of Bahrain” during the early stages of the conflict in February 2026.
U.S. military bases in the Middle East have been evacuated or significantly reduced due to Iranian counterattacks and regional conflict escalation in 2026. Following severe damage to installations in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Syria, thousands of troops and their families were relocated to the United States, while remaining forces were dispersed to hotels and remote locations.
Key evacuations and withdrawals include:
Bahrain: Approximately 1,500 sailors and their families were evacuated from NSA Bahrain (home of the U.S. 5th Fleet) after Iranian missile and drone strikes rendered parts of the base uninhabitable; many arrived at U.S. bases in Norfolk, Tampa, and Charleston.
Qatar: Personnel were evacuated from Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. base in the region, ahead of and during strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Syria: The U.S. began withdrawing from Qasrak base in northeastern Syria and other installations, reducing its footprint from 1,500 to roughly 900 personnel, with a full pullout expected within a month of the February 2026 reports.
Regional Impact: Reports indicate that 13 U.S. bases across the Middle East, including those in Iraq, Jordan, and the UAE, suffered significant damage, forcing the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to adopt a remote-warfare posture with troops working from temporary facilities.
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The civilian head of the Navy has confirmed that a key U.S. Navy base in the Middle East was damaged in recent fighting in the Iran war, according to a new report.
"They blew the hell out of Bahrain," acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told The Epoch Times on Sept. 9, referring to Naval Support Activity Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/11/navy-base-bahrain-iran-war/91705998007/
Nearly six months after the U.S. Navy evacuated 1,300 family members from Bahrain at the start of the Iran war, officials are saying the evacuees cannot return for the foreseeable future and should find new homes elsewhere.
The evacuation has left families in limbo and forced military officials to improvise solutions for support programs that were never designed to sustain a displacement lasting this long.
Some evacuees say they have spent tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket for basic living expenses. Others are sleeping on the floors of temporary housing, while their cars and furniture are stranded in Bahrain or aboard ships unable to leave the region.
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-08-21/bahrain-evacuation-military-families-navy-22618186.html
"Retired Navy Capt. John Cordle recently described the loss of NSA Bahrain as having "profound tactical and strategic repercussions."
"The more we learn about the attacks on the U.S. Naval Support Activity in Manama, Bahrain, during the opening days of Operation Epic Fury, the clearer it becomes why the news of its near destruction was not initially reported or acknowledged," Cordle said."
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2026/09/01/navy-not-returning-to-damaged-bahrain-base-anytime-soon-top-officer-says/