Iran has caused a lot of damage by attacking American military bases in almost all the Gulf countries. The impact of these attacks has been negative on all the Gulf countries. People have started leaving from there. The life of common people is going under stress. There is no confidence as to where the explosion will take place, where the missile debris will fall. A question often arises and is being raised this time too, why does America build its military bases in different parts of the world? It is certain that if it did not have bases in the Gulf countries, Iran would not have attacked.This is his own way of taking revenge from America.
The question is also that apart from the Gulf countries, where else are the American military bases? Can Iran attack them too? Come, let us try to understand this whole matter.
Why America’s military bases around the world?
First of all it is important to answer this question. America considers itself the most powerful country in the world. He has been claiming the security not only of his country but also of his friendly countries. It is another matter that attacks took place because of its base in the Gulf country. The economy derailed. But even after a fortnight of the war, America has not been able to provide relief to the Gulf countries because Iran has kept them entangled. Due to his strong country thinking, he has built many military bases in different parts of the world. Some concrete reasons are given for this.
- Oil and trade route security: America is in great need of oil. Routes like the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz are important. By keeping a base there, he wants oil supply and security of ships.
- Keep an eye on enemy countries: In the eyes of America, countries like Iran, Russia, China are potential threats. Therefore he creates bases in their surrounding or nearby countries. This makes espionage easier. If needed, military preparations can also be done immediately.
- Security of friendly countries: Many countries, America’s friends, are themselves weak. They make a security agreement with America. In return America opens a base there. Weapons, soldiers, missiles and radar are deployed there.
- Quick Action Facility: If there is a war somewhere. If a terrorist attack or rebellion spreads, America should not be too far from its country. Could immediately send troops, ships, drones from the nearest base.
- Superpower Image and Dominance: America shows its status through military presence on every continent. This is also a kind of political power. It signals to the world that America is present everywhere.
Iran’s attack on Dubai.
In how many countries are America’s military bases?
The exact number varies over time. Sometimes a new base opens. Sometimes one also gets closed. But broadly it can be said that America has maintained hundreds of military bases in different parts of the world. These are spread in a few dozen countries. America’s army is deployed everywhere in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America. To name an example, airbases and naval bases are established in Europe’s Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Asia’s Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Qatar in the Gulf, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Syria, and some island countries including Djibouti in Africa. The size of every military base is different. Somewhere there are thousands of soldiers and somewhere there are dozens or hundreds. At some places only airfields or radar stations are established.
Attack on Saudi Arabia.
Why did Iran attack?
Iran attacked the American base in the Gulf for many reasons. One can call it old rivalry or hatred. Relations between Iran and America have been bad since the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979. Iran considers itself the leader of the anti-American front. America imposed strict economic sanctions on Iran. Also put pressure on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran considers this an interference in its sovereignty.
The reason for conflict in the Middle East is that Iran and America have been supporting different parties in countries like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen. Many times there were attacks on Iran-backed groups and American bases. Often a specific event becomes a trigger. Such as the assassination of an Iranian commander, an attack on a militia, or the bombing of an Iranian base. In response, Iran directly or indirectly targets American bases. In this way the Middle East has become like a pile of gunpowder. One attack burns the entire area. This time also the same scene has happened.
Iran is continuously attacking
Can Iran attack American bases built in other countries?
The flat answer to this would be – no. There are many reasons for this. Militarily, Iran’s capability is limited. It has missiles, drones and some long range weapons. These are mostly effective only in the Middle East region. American bases established in Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE etc. come directly within the range of Iran. It is very difficult for Iran to launch a direct missile attack on American military infrastructure in a distant country. For example, by attacking the mainland of Europe, Japan and America, it cannot earn enmity with the whole world. By doing this he may become isolated. It should be hoped that at present no such action will be taken from Iran’s side.
Donald Trump and Mujtaba Khamenei. (file photo)
Attack possible through proxy war
This Iran is expert in proxy war. This is his great strength. The rebel groups in many nearby countries, be it Houthi rebels in Yemen or Hezbollah or Hamas in Lebanon, Iran has been continuously not only funding them but also supplying them with weapons. Instead, he has been using them in his own way. Iran-backed proxy groups are also in Iraq and Syria. They can target the American base or its soldiers. Methods like small rockets, drones, roadside bombs or suicide attacks can be adopted, but this is also possible only in the surrounding countries. Based in remote countries, this can be a bit difficult and quite expensive. It may also take more time because such groups will have to be formed first.
There are also political and strategic risks
Iran would not want to attack everywhere. Because its strategic and political risks are also not less. A direct attack could trigger a major war. America can openly retaliate. Iran’s own cities, oil bases and ports are already in danger. In that case the dangers may increase further. Those countries can also react, where Iran will attack, even if the target is an American base, but panic definitely occurs, as is being seen in the Gulf countries.
Also read: Which country suffered how much loss in the war between Iran and America?