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US considers reducing troops, military facilities across Middle East

By World Desk September 9, 2026 World News / International
US considers

WASHINGTON: US military and intelligence officials are considering reducing the number of American personnel and military facilities in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.

Sources told CNN that the Trump administration is considering a significant reduction in the U.S. presence in the region if it succeeds in ending the conflict with Iran.

The United States greatly expanded its military and intelligence network across the Middle East following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, supporting operations in countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Yemen and Libya. However, the recent conflict with Iran has exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. military infrastructure in the region, according to the report.

The informal discussions among military and intelligence officials are aimed at developing a strategy for the post-conflict period, as President Donald Trump has not provided clear policy guidance on the future U.S. military posture in the region, CNN reported.

The United States currently has about 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers and more than a dozen other warships in the Middle East. CIA personnel who had previously been withdrawn from the region are also being redeployed, according to the sources.

The U.S. military is also examining ways to strengthen the protection of troops and facilities that remain in the region.

Two sources confirmed that moving some sensitive facilities underground is among the proposals being considered to protect them from drone and missile attacks. The Pentagon has explored underground military facilities for years, but Iranian attacks have increased the urgency of implementing such plans, the sources said.

Military officials have also developed several potential options for restructuring the U.S. force posture in the Middle East by next year.