Why is Trump pulling limited troops from West Asia? Where does US have military presence in the region?

United States President Donald Trump has ordered a repositioning of American personnel stationed across West Asia, citing emerging dangers and growing risks of escalation.

This development comes amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations with Iran and the spectre of military confrontation.

On June 11, Trump confirmed that some personnel were being relocated from the region. “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

He also issued a pointed reminder about Iran’s nuclear ambitions: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”

According to US and Iraqi sources, the US State Department authorised voluntary departures of government employees and their dependents from Bahrain and Kuwait, while preparations were also underway for a partial evacuation of the US embassy in Baghdad.

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Though officials have not detailed the precise threats prompting this move, the decision has sent shockwaves through oil markets and defence circles.

What is behind the move?

On Wednesday, the US State Department updated its global travel advisory, noting that “on June 11, the US Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel due to heightened regional tensions.”

The decision also comes at a time of growing concern within American intelligence circles that Israel is making contingency plans for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

While the US is making precautionary moves, regional governments are also watching developments closely. Iraq’s state news agency reported that Baghdad had not recorded any security indicator warranting evacuation.

Nonetheless, the US military was reportedly on standby should commercial evacuation efforts require logistical support.

Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned of a strong retaliation if the Islamic Republic were attacked, asserting that Iranian forces would respond by striking US bases in the region.

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Meanwhile, Iran’s UN mission issued a strongly worded statement on social media: “Threats of ‘overwhelming force’ won’t change facts: Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon and US militarism only fuels instability.”

General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), had recently provided Trump with “a wide range of options” to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Kurilla later postponed a scheduled testimony before US lawmakers due to the escalating situation.

Even as evacuations are being carried out in some areas, operations continue elsewhere. The US embassy in Kuwait stated that it “had not changed its staffing posture and remains fully operational,” and officials confirmed that there were no changes at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest US base in the region.

Where in West Asia does the US have military presence?

The United States maintains a widespread military infrastructure throughout West Asia, with troops and assets stationed across at least nineteen sites.

These include facilities in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The Pentagon has designated eight of these bases as effectively permanent, and several of them are vital to ongoing operations.

Qatar hosts the forward headquarters of CENTCOM, while Bahrain serves as home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, built in 1996, is considered the most significant US base in the region in terms of personnel and capability.

US troop levels in the region fluctuate depending on strategic needs. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, as of late 2024, approximately 40,000 American military personnel were present in the region, including many stationed on ships in regional waters.

This is a sharp contrast to earlier deployments in the 2000s, when more than 160,000 troops were in Iraq (2007) and over 100,000 in Afghanistan (2011). Today, there are roughly 2,500 troops in Iraq and around 2,000 in Syria, primarily concentrated in the northeast.

In addition to their counter-terrorism role, American forces in Jordan conduct regular joint exercises and provide training to Jordanian counterparts.

Across countries like the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, US forces assist with regional military coordination, security assurance and strategic preparedness. These installations are typically well-protected with advanced air defence systems to deter drone and missile threats.

Why are US troops stationed in West Asia?

The broader regional security environment has deteriorated since October 2023, when war broke out between Hamas and Israel.

Following that, Iran-backed groups across the region increased attacks on US positions, particularly in Iraq and Syria. Although these attacks have subsided since late 2024, the underlying threats remain.

In March 2025, US forces aboard warships in the Red Sea conducted airstrikes against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen in response to repeated drone and missile attacks.

These operations are part of an ongoing campaign to protect international shipping lanes, especially in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthi movement has claimed over 100 attacks on vessels near Yemen, citing solidarity with Palestinians in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In April 2024, the situation escalated further when Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel in a direct attack, prompting the US to intercept several projectiles using its aircraft and naval forces.

Later that year, another round of missile strikes by Iran coincided with Israel’s operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In both instances, the US responded with reinforcements, including four squadrons of additional aircraft and an extended deployment of B-2 stealth bombers, relocated from their base in Missouri to Diego Garcia — a joint US-UK installation located strategically within range of Iran and Yemen.

These deployments followed months of skirmishes in Iraq and Syria, where Iran-aligned militias have used drones and rockets to target US positions. In return, American forces have conducted targeted airstrikes against these groups and their infrastructure.

How has the US Navy bolstered its status in the region?

Since the start of Trump’s second term, some US Navy warships were temporarily redirected to support domestic security missions. However, as of March 2025, two carrier strike groups are expected to operate simultaneously within CENTCOM’s jurisdiction.

The USS Harry S Truman’s deployment has been extended, while the USS Carl Vinson also arrived later.

These carrier deployments are viewed as a signal of strength and deterrence, particularly as shipping lanes near Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Red Sea remain under threat from non-state actors.

Britain’s maritime agency issued a warning this week, alerting vessels transiting through the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz to exercise extreme caution due to the potential for military escalation.

The UK Foreign Office is also monitoring the situation and is reassessing embassy operations in Iraq based on developments.

Trump has made it clear that diplomatic options are dwindling and that Tehran’s continued uranium enrichment is a growing concern.

Upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and the US are expected to resume soon. Tehran is anticipated to submit a counter-proposal after rejecting a US offer.

However, a senior Iranian official stated that military pressure has always been a core element of US negotiation tactics — a stance that continues to inflame the already volatile relationship between the two nations.

With inputs from agencies