Washington: In the wake of prolonged hostilities with Iran, the United States is reportedly contemplating a reduction in its military footprint in the Gulf region. The conflict, which began when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on February 28, has persisted for over five months, resulting in significant casualties and financial costs for the US military.

According to TRTworld.com, the war, initially projected to last four to six weeks, has seen Iran retaliate with missile and drone strikes, impacting infrastructure and military assets across the Gulf. The ongoing Operation Epic Fury has led to 18 confirmed US military deaths and wounded approximately 600-900 personnel, with the war's expenses expected to reach $37.5 billion by September 2026.

The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is reassessing its military presence in the Middle East, with potential plans to withdraw troops from the Gulf. The review, led by the Pentagon's policy office and involving the Joint Staff and US Central Command, comes after Iranian attacks damaged US bases and assets, prompting discussions about the future of military bases in the region.

A senior Pentagon official described the reassessment as "prudent planning," with decisions pending on whether certain bases would be rebuilt. Currently, US Central Command maintains about 40,000 troops across nearly 20 sites in the region, with significant deployments in countries like Bahrain and Kuwait.

Despite a memorandum of understanding signed in June to end hostilities, missile and drone attacks have continued, stalling negotiations over strategic issues such as navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing conflict has intensified internal debates within the US administration over its military commitments in the region.

Admiral Bradley Cooper, head of US Central Command, has been involved in discussions about potentially relocating US troops to areas west of the Gulf. Former US envoy Michael Ratney noted the strategic challenges posed by the current military positioning, suggesting that shifting troops westward could alleviate some pressure, though acknowledging the limitations of this approach.