Iran strikes render 13 US bases unusable as conflict shifts to ‘remote war’ – report

Damaged USA Base in the Middle East

HARARE – At least 13 United States military bases across the Middle East have been rendered uninhabitable following Iranian strikes, forcing American troops to relocate to temporary sites, including hotels and office spaces, according to a report by The New York Times.

The developments mark a dramatic shift in the evolving Iran–Israel conflict escalation in 2026, with officials describing the situation as a “remote war” due to the dispersal of US forces.

“Iran has bombed US bases across the Middle East, forcing many American troops to relocate to hotels and office spaces,” the report said, citing US officials and military personnel.

With key installations damaged or deemed unsafe, thousands of US troops have been scattered across multiple locations. Some have reportedly been redeployed to Europe, while others remain in the Middle East but no longer operate from traditional military bases.

The shift has significantly altered battlefield dynamics, with operations continuing from decentralised and improvised locations.

“So now much of the land-based military is, in essence, fighting the war while working remotely,” the report noted.

Among the hardest-hit installations are US bases in Kuwait, including Port Shuaiba, Ali Al Salem Air Base, and Camp Buehring. A strike on Port Shuaiba reportedly destroyed a tactical operations centre and killed six US service members.

Elsewhere:

• Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar suffered damage to critical radar systems

• US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain was hit by a drone strike targeting communications infrastructure

• Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia sustained damage to refuelling tankers and communication systems

Despite the disruption, the Pentagon says military operations are intensifying. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces have conducted more than 7,000 strikes on Iranian targets.

“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure,” he said.

Military experts warn that operating from temporary or non-military facilities comes with significant limitations.

“You’re absolutely going to lose capability,” said retired US Air Force targeting specialist Wes J. Bryant. “You can’t just put all that equipment on the top of a hotel.”

Officials have clarified that troops are not operating from exposed positions, but acknowledged that decentralised operations affect efficiency and coordination.

In a parallel development, commercial satellite firms have tightened access to imagery of the conflict zone. According to The Washington Post, companies such as Planet Labs have restricted access to images covering Iran, Gulf states, and active military areas. The firms say the move is intended to prevent sensitive geospatial data from being used by hostile actors to target US and allied forces.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly urged civilians to report sightings of relocated US troops, raising concerns about the safety of personnel outside fortified bases.

At the same time, Iranian strikes have expanded beyond military targets to include energy infrastructure and strategic shipping routes, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Security analysts say decades of US military buildup in countries such as Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are now being tested by Iran’s missile capabilities. Even after sustained US airstrikes, officials acknowledge that Iran retains the ability to retaliate. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said layered defence systems are being reinforced across the region, as the conflict enters an increasingly unpredictable phase.

Iran strikes US bases