US Military Map in Middle East as Iran Seeks Revenge Over Khamenei's Death

Iran launched missile attacks on multiple Arab nations in the Gulf region hosting American military bases on Saturday, 28 February 2026 (local time). The action was described as direct retaliation for joint US-Israeli military operations targeting Iranian strategic facilities on the same day, triggering rapid escalation and airspace closures across several countries.

The Fars news agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted strategic points housing US forces, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Explosions were reported in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

UAE authorities confirmed at least one death in Abu Dhabi after air defence systems intercepted several missiles. The UAE government strongly condemned the attacks.

“The UAE government condemns this attack as a clear violation of national sovereignty and international law, and affirms its full right to respond to escalation that endangers civilians,” stated an official UAE government statement cited by Al Jazeera.

In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry sent emergency warnings via text message to residents.

“Sirens have sounded due to danger. Residents are asked to proceed immediately to safe locations and follow official safety instructions,” the ministry stated as reported by AFP.

Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE also temporarily closed their airspace to civilian flights as a precautionary measure.

In the brutal conflict between the US and Israel against Iran, several of Iran’s highest commanders were reported killed. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been confirmed dead.

Khamenei’s death represents a major blow to the Islamic Republic, which he has led since 1989, a decade after rising to power in the theocratic revolution that overthrew Iran’s monarchy and shook the Middle East.

Iranian state media previously confirmed that many of Khamenei’s family members have died, including a daughter, granddaughter, daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded to Khamenei’s death, stating “we have lost a great leader and we mourn his passing”, according to a statement carried by the Fars news agency and cited by Al Jazeera on Sunday, 1 March 2026.

The statement added that “Khamenei’s martyrdom at the hands of the cruelest terrorists and torturers of humanity is a sign of this great leader’s legitimacy and acceptance of his sincere service”.

The statement continued that “the hand of Iranian national revenge…will not allow them to escape”.

The IRGC will stand “firm in facing domestic and foreign conspiracies”, the statement said.

Where exactly are the US military bases in the Middle East that could become targets of Iranian revenge? Here is a summary:

Map of US Military Bases in the Middle East

Iran’s attack occurred amid widespread US military presence in the Middle East. Washington operates at least 19 military locations, both permanent and temporary, with a total of approximately 40,000 to 50,000 personnel.

According to Al Jazeera, eight permanent bases are located in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The largest concentration of forces is in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, which serve as centres for air and naval operations, logistics, intelligence gathering, and force projection.

Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the US’s largest air base in the region and the forward headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM), hosting approximately 10,000 personnel and nearly 100 aircraft.

In Bahrain, Naval Support Activity serves as headquarters for the US Fifth Fleet with approximately 9,000 personnel. Meanwhile, Camp Arifjan in Kuwait functions as the logistics centre and Army command centre. Al Dhafra in the UAE is a strategic base for surveillance and air combat operations, including the deployment of F-22 stealth aircraft and early warning systems, and Erbil Air Base in Iraq is used for air operations and support for Kurdish and Iraqi forces.

Escalation peaked after the US confirmed direct strikes on Iran targeting military facilities and IRGC infrastructure in several cities, including the outskirts of Tehran. US President Donald Trump issued harsh warnings to the IRGC and Iranian security apparatus.

“Put down your weapons and receive full immunity, or face certain death,” he stated in an official address. Trump also called on Iranian citizens to seek shelter amid threats of continued bombing, whilst encouraging regime change.

With Iran directly targeting US bases in Arab nations, the Middle East now stands on the brink of wider military escalation, increasing risks to regional security and international air traffic.