Is Hegseth running out of safe bases in the Gulf? US navy now fleeing Iran?

A new Wall Street Journal investigation reveals that recent Iranian missile and drone strikes caused much heavier damage to US military bases in the Middle East, especially the key Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain), than the Pentagon publicly admitted. This shocking discovery has forced the United States to urgently rethink its entire military presence in the region, including considering moving some operations to Israel. The strikes, which happened between late February and June 2026 during what's been called 'Operation Epic Fury,' severely hit the Fifth Fleet headquarters and at least a dozen other buildings at NSA Bahrain, costing an estimated $400 million to repair the base alone. More broadly, over 20 US military and diplomatic sites across the region were damaged, and 13 American service members were killed, showing just how vulnerable fixed bases are to Iran's advanced ballistic missiles and drones. While US Central Command says it successfully protected personnel, this hidden damage highlights a serious challenge to America's long-standing strategy of keeping large forces close to potential flashpoints. Now, the Pentagon is weighing tough choices: rebuilding damaged facilities in Bahrain, reducing troop numbers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, moving command centers underground, or spreading out forces across many smaller sites. The discussion around relocating critical assets westward, potentially to Israel, signals a major shift in how the US plans to project power and protect its interests in a rapidly changing Middle East, where Iranian capabilities demand a completely new approach to defense. This strategic shake-up will redefine regional security for years to come.