Washington Explores Reducing Intelligence and Military Presence in Middle East Post-Iran Conflict

US military and intelligence circles are exploring the possibility of reducing the number of forces and facilities deployed in the Middle East, should the Trump administration succeed in bringing an end to the conflict with Iran. These discussions, according to sources cited by CNN, remain informal, and no direct orders have been issued for a comprehensive review of force deployment. However, they reflect the readiness of military and intelligence officials for the potential adoption of a policy to reduce the American presence in the region after the war. The United States continues to maintain approximately 50,000 troops in the Middle East, alongside significant military assets, including two aircraft carriers and over 12 guided-missile destroyers. In a notable development, CIA officers have begun returning to the region after being evacuated during the peak of fighting earlier in the year. Simultaneously, the US military is considering bolstering the protection of facilities and troops that will remain in the region, CNN reports. This includes moving some installations to underground locations as a precautionary measure against potential missile and drone attacks, similar to those launched by Iran during the conflict. Recent events revealed the vulnerability of several US installations in the Middle East, following attacks on sites in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait attributed to Iran. According to a US official and a former intelligence officer, a CIA facility in Riyadh suffered actual destruction due to an Iranian attack. Officials are also considering not rebuilding some assets that were severely damaged or destroyed, given the high cost of their repair and reconstruction. Furthermore, discussions are underway about keeping some personnel and equipment within the United States and deploying them to the region for specific missions rather than permanent stationing. Sources indicated that senior Pentagon officials desire to reduce the military presence in several Gulf countries, as part of a broader strategy aimed at shifting more defense burdens to regional partners. Nevertheless, these sources emphasized that there is no clear timeline for ending the conflict or reaching a settlement with Tehran. In a related context, US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Daryl Caudle, stated last week that forces would not be returning to Bahrain, the traditional headquarters of the Fifth Fleet, "anytime soon."