About 50 U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East are within range of Iranian missile systems, sharply escalating tensions in the region amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel, Iranian media reported on June 22, 2025, citing a statement from a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The missile threat comes in response to recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, including nuclear complexes, and underscores Tehran's willingness to escalate.

According to Western sources, American forces are stationed in bases in Iraq, Syria, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, many of which are within range of Iranian ballistic missiles such as the Shahab-3 and Qiam-1, which have a range of up to 2000 kilometers. Iran also has an arsenal of precision missiles, including the Fateh-110, and anti-ship systems capable of threatening American aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf. Analysts estimate that Tehran could also use drones such as the Shahed-136 to launch coordinated attacks, making it more difficult to defend American installations.

The conflict, which began in June 2025 with Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure, has escalated into a series of mutual attacks, with the US entering the fray by striking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Tehran has responded with missile strikes on Israeli cities and is now threatening to expand operations against US forces. According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, the IRGC has conducted exercises rehearsing scenarios for striking military bases, demonstrating its ability to hit targets with precision. The threat to 50 US troops highlights the US’s strategic vulnerability in the region, despite its technological superiority.

The Pentagon has confirmed that it is monitoring Iran's activities and has beefed up security at its bases, deploying additional air defense systems, including Patriot and THAAD. According to US media, the US has also sent squadrons of F-22 fighters to the region to protect key installations. However, analysts note that massive Iranian missile attacks could overwhelm defense systems, especially if they are accompanied by strikes from Tehran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria.