Explosions were reported near Riyadh, close to areas hosting American military assets, while Kuwait, home to major US Army and Air Force facilities is being closely watched amid fears that the conflict could spill beyond Israel and Iran and engulf the wider Gulf region.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have emerged as key flashpoints after Iran warned that American military installations across the Gulf are now “legitimate targets” following joint US–Israel strikes.

Explosions were reported near Riyadh, close to areas hosting American military assets, while Kuwait, home to major US Army and Air Force facilities is being closely watched amid fears that the conflict could spill beyond Israel and Iran and engulf the wider Gulf region.

The escalation follows coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets earlier in the day. In response, Tehran signalled it would retaliate against American and Israeli military positions across West Asia, dramatically widening the scope of the confrontation.

In Kuwait, several critical US military installations operate as logistical and operational hubs. These include Camp Arifjan, a forward headquarters of US Army Central; Ali Al Salem Air Base, located near the Iraqi border and often referred to as “The Rock”; and Camp Buehring, a staging ground established during the Iraq War for deployments into Iraq and Syria.

Any direct targeting of these bases would represent a significant escalation.

In Saudi Arabia, American troops are stationed at the Prince Sultan Air Base, roughly 60 km south of Riyadh. The base supports US Army Patriot missile batteries and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems, providing regional air and missile defence capabilities.

Reports of blasts near Riyadh have intensified concerns that Saudi territory could become directly involved if hostilities continue to expand.

In Bahrain, the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was reportedly targeted. The Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Manama, oversees naval operations across the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.

In the United Arab Emirates, explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi. The Al Dhafra Air Base, south of the capital, serves as a major US hub supporting reconnaissance and regional missions. Meanwhile, Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port — though not a formal military base — remains the US Navy’s largest port of call in the Middle East.

In Qatar, emergency sirens were heard near the Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of US Central Command and the largest American military base in the region, housing approximately 10,000 troops.

In Iraq, the Ain Al Asad Air Base in Anbar province and the Erbil Air Base in the Kurdistan region continue to support US and coalition operations. Ain Al Asad was previously targeted by Iran in 2020 following the US killing of General Qasem Soleimani, underscoring its strategic vulnerability in moments of heightened tension.

In Jordan, the Muwaffaq al Salti Air Base in Azraq hosts US Air Force assets and supports operations across the Levant.

Airspace closures across multiple countries in the Gulf and West Asia highlight growing fears that the confrontation may evolve into a broader regional conflict. Governments are on high alert as missile defence systems remain active and military installations brace for potential further strikes.