Washington: US military and intelligence officials are considering reducing the number of personnel and military facilities in the Middle East while potentially moving some sensitive infrastructure underground to better protect it from drone and missile attacks, according to a report.
CNN, citing sources, reported that a significant reduction in the US presence in the region is being considered if the Trump administration succeeds in bringing its conflict with Iran to an end.
Following the September 11 attacks, the United States dramatically expanded its military and intelligence network across the Middle East to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Yemen and Libya, according to the report.
However, the recent conflict with Iran has exposed vulnerabilities in US military infrastructure across the region.
The report said informal discussions among US military and intelligence officials are aimed at developing a possible post-war strategy, while President Donald Trump has yet to lay out a clear policy for the future American presence in the region.
Around 50,000 US troops, two aircraft carriers and more than a dozen other warships currently remain in the Middle East, according to sources cited in the report.
CIA personnel who had previously been withdrawn are also reportedly being sent back to the region.
The US military is also reviewing ways to strengthen protection for troops and facilities that would remain in the Middle East.
Two sources said officials were considering moving some sensitive facilities underground to protect them from drone and missile attacks.
According to the report, the Pentagon has considered underground military infrastructure for years, but recent Iranian attacks have increased the urgency of implementing such plans.
Military officials have also prepared several possible options for restructuring the US force presence in the Middle East by next year.
