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Which Iranian Missiles and Drones Can Wipe US Bases in the Middle East Off the Map?

President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran in a manner “the likes of which they have never seen before” unless a new nuclear deal is agreed. Here’s why such bullying tactics aren’t a good idea when it comes to Iran.

President Trump has threatened to bomb Iran in a manner “the likes of which they have never seen before” unless a new nuclear deal is agreed.

The US has over 60 bases, garrisons and shared facilities dotting the Middle East, from Naval Support Activity Bahrain (home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet) and Al Udeid Air Base (CENTCOM’s forward HQ), to other naval, air and ground facilities in the Gulf, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Turkiye.

© SputnikUS bases in the Middle East.

US bases in the Middle East.

© Sputnik

In the event of war, all would be in range of Iran’s missiles and drones.

Ballistic Firepower

Qiam-1/2: 800-1,000 km range, 750 kg warhead

Haj Qasem: 1,400 km range, 500 kg warhead

Kheibar Shekan: 1,450 km range, 500 kg warhead

Emad: 2,000 km range, 750 kg payload

Ghadr-110: 1,600-2,000 km range, 1,000 kg payload

Khorramshahr: 2,000 km range, 1,800 kg payload, MIRV-enabled

Ground-Based Cruise Capabilities

Abu Mahdi: 1,000 km range, 410 kg warhead

Paveh: 1,650 km range, payload unknown

Soumar: Precision strike missile with 2,500-3,000 km range, 410-700 kg payload

Military

Iran’s Master Stroke: New Island Missile Deployment Could Blockade US Forces in the Gulf

23 March, 19:41 GMT

Long-Range Drones

Kaman-12: 1,000 km range, 100 kg payload

Shahed 129: 1,700 km range, armed with four Sadid-1 precision missiles

Mohajer-6: 2,400 km range, carries precision-guided munitions

Shahed 149: 2,500 km range, 13-bomb payload up to 500 kg

© Photo : Soufan Center / StatistaSoufan Center analysis of estimated range capabilities of Iran's ballistic missiles.

Soufan Center analysis of estimated range capabilities of Iran's ballistic missiles.

© Photo : Soufan Center / Statista

Besides raw firepower, Iran’s potential also comes down to two other factors: geography and resolve.

Permanent access to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman coastlines means that in wartime, Iran can dominate the waters around the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic chokepoint through which 30% of the world’s oil trade passes.

The Zagros Mountain Range hugging the country’s southwest provides a natural barrier difficult for enemies to penetrate, with many underground missile bases and air defense sites situated at hardened mountainous facilities.

Iran has also shown repeatedly that it will not allow aggression to stand, whether it comes to US spy drones violating airspace, or assassination attacks targeting its commanders. Iran will not hesitate to retaliate against any aggressor, no matter how powerful.