U.S. Restricts Qatar Base Access and Repositions Aircraft Amid Iran-Israel Tensions
Amid escalating Iran-Israel tensions, the U.S. has restricted access to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, its largest Middle East military hub, citing “ongoing regional hostilities” and potential Iranian strikes, per a U.S. Embassy statement. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by AFP, shows a sharp reduction in U.S. aircraft at the base: 40 planes, including C-130s and reconnaissance jets, were visible on June 5, 2025, but only three remained by June 19. This suggests aircraft relocation to shield them from Iran’s missile or drone threats, given Al Udeid’s vulnerability due to its proximity to Iran, as noted by defense expert Mark Schwartz.
The U.S. is bolstering its regional posture, deploying the USS Nimitz carrier group from Asia to the Middle East and moving refueling aircraft to Europe. About 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in the region, with numbers adjusting to the crisis. President Donald Trump is taking two weeks to decide on joining Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear and military sites, following Israel’s airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz facility and Iranian missile attacks on Israeli targets, including a Beersheba hospital. Trump has issued mixed signals, advocating diplomacy while demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and hinting at targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, though no such plans are confirmed.
Iran has warned that U.S. intervention could trigger an “all-out war,” with U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE at risk. Tehran is engaging Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to push for a U.S.-backed ceasefire, offering nuclear negotiation flexibility. However, Trump’s rejection of a G7 de-escalation statement suggests a potential lean toward military action. These moves reflect a tense balance between U.S. military readiness and diplomatic efforts to avert a broader conflict.