Trump Scales Back U.S. Military Footprint in Asia and the Gulf Amid Iran War

President Donald Trump ordered the USS George Washington to leave the western Pacific and replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been on station off Iran for more than 260 days. He also directed a reduction in joint U.S.–South Korea exercises after Seoul declined to join U.S. actions against Iran. The Pentagon is reviewing a possible pullback of roughly 40,000 troops from the Persian Gulf, including the possibility of not rebuilding bases damaged since the war began in late February.

Times of Israel

The United States has intensified its military posture since the Iran-U.S. conflict erupted in February, deploying dozens of warships and aircraft carriers to the CENTCOM area. The USS Abraham Lincoln has been the flagship of that effort, while the USS George Washington was the last carrier stationed in Asia. The U.S. and South Korea have conducted the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, a cornerstone of the alliance’s deterrence strategy. Trump linked the drill cut to frustrations over a stalled $350 billion trade framework and to his desire for “very good” relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Fox News (website)

• USS Abraham Lincoln: deployment of over 260 days with reports of deteriorating living conditions.

Salon

• U.S. forces in the Middle East: about 40,000 troops across roughly 20 bases (Washington Post).

Times of Israel

• Casualties: 18 U.S. service members killed and hundreds injured by Iranian missile and drone attacks since the war began (Washington Post).

Times of Israel

• response.

Times of Israel

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not ordered a formal review of Gulf force reductions, but the Pentagon’s policy office and U.S. Central Command are exploring relocation options to Jordan and Israel.

Times of Israel

• “I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” — Donald Trump, president

Salon

• “Where they haven't ruled out negotiations with the U.S., but they have basically said, unless the U.S. accepts their nuclear status, there isn't really a reason to talk,” — Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center and director of 38 North

Fox News (website)

The carrier relocation reduces the United States’ visible power projection in the Indo-Pacific, creating a strategic opening that China’s foreign minister Wang Yi may exploit through diplomatic outreach to Seoul. The scaling back of joint drills could embolden North Korea, which continues missile development and deepens ties with Russia and China. In the Gulf, a troop pullback could alter the balance of deterrence against Iran and expose regional partners to heightened risk.

Salon

Any major adjustment to U.S. forces in the Gulf or further changes to the Asian footprint will require explicit White House approval, according to the Washington Post. The Pentagon’s policy office continues to evaluate relocation options, and the administration has not set a public timeline for final decisions.

Times of Israel