The Target List: Iran Names the US Bases in Israel and the Gulf Marked for Destruction
Iranian state media has released a hit list of American military bases while intelligence experts warn that Tehran’s increasingly sophisticated missile arsenal can now strike targets across Europe and Africa.
As diplomatic talks in Geneva teeter on the edge of failure, the Iranian regime’s propaganda machine has shifted into high gear, releasing detailed maps and videos of American military installations it claims are under constant surveillance. The Al-Alam news channel, a primary mouthpiece for the Islamic Republic, recently broadcasted a series of threats against U.S. bases in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, and Saudi Arabia, even including the Sde Teiman camp in Israel. This psychological warfare coincides with President Donald Trump’s State of the Union warning that Iran’s missile reach is extending far beyond its neighbors. "The Iranians have already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they are working on building missiles that will soon reach the United States of America," the President stated. With the possibility of a regional war looming, experts are now examining the specific ballistic capabilities that Tehran intends to use against the Western "beautiful armada."
Mapping the Targets
The Iranian state media campaign, titled "American Bases Under Surveillance," focuses on strategic hubs like Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, which serves as a major logistics and command center for U.S. Central Command. Other videos highlighted the Al Dhafra base in the UAE, noting its role in hosting F-22 stealth fighters and AWACS surveillance aircraft, as well as the Jebel Ali port, which acts as a critical docking station for American aircraft carriers. Interestingly, the propaganda also targeted the Hamat Airbase in northern Lebanon. Although Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Slim recently insisted that the base is purely under Lebanese control and serves only for training and foreign aid deliveries, the Iranians claim it is a secret logistics hub for American transport planes. This base was the site of a recent security scare involving a downed drone, which briefly put U.S. trainers on high alert.
The Arsenal of the Islamic Republic
Dr. Yehoshua Kalisky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, warns that while the IDF and U.S. forces have damaged some launchers, Iran remains a global missile power. The crown jewel of their arsenal is the Khorramshahr, a maneuvering hypersonic missile that can reach speeds of 14,200 kilometers per hour. With a range of up to 3,000 kilometers and an 1,800 kilogram warhead, it can strike targets deep within Europe with a precision radius of just 30 meters. Another terrifying entry is the Haj Qasem missile, which can travel at 15 times the speed of sound and is powered by solid fuel, allowing it to be launched in a matter of minutes. Other threats include the Sejjil, which utilizes GPS and internal navigation, and the Kheibar Shekan, which uses vector thrust to confuse interceptors.
The Multi-Layered Defense
To counter this massive threat, the United States and Israel have deployed the most sophisticated integrated air defense system in history. Drawing on lessons from the 12-Day War, the defense includes the Arrow 3 and THAAD systems for long-range intercepts outside the atmosphere, David’s Sling for medium-range threats, and the Iron Dome and C-Dome for short-range protection. This shield is further bolstered by the AEGIS systems on American destroyers and a new laser layer known as "Iron Beam" (Or Eitan), designed for the rapid and cheap interception of drones and rockets. Despite the technological superiority of the West, the sheer volume of Iran’s precision-guided missiles means that any future war will test these defenses to their absolute limit.