Iran missiles threaten US forces, lack homeland strike capability

president Donald Trump The US has warned that Iran is building missiles that could “soon reach the USA”, raising concerns about a weapons program that is already putting US forces across the Middle East within its range.

Officials say Iran does not currently possess a missile capable of hitting US territory. But its current arsenal of ballistic missiles could target major US military installations in the Gulf, and US officials say the issue has emerged as a major sticking point in ongoing nuclear negotiations.

Here’s what Iran could strike now — and how close it could get to the United States

What can Iran hit now?

A map showing the places within the range of ballistic missiles launched from Iran. (Fox News)

Western defense analysts widely believe that Iran operates the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Its arsenal consists mainly of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles with a range of about 2,000 kilometers – about 1,200 miles.

This scale puts a vast network of US military infrastructure across the Gulf within easy reach.

Among the components contained within this envelope are:

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• Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the forward headquarters of US Central Command.
• Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home of the US 5th Fleet.
• Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, a major logistics and command center for the Army.
• Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, used by US Air Force units.
• Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
• Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
• Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which hosts American aircraft.

US forces have withdrawn from some regional locations in recent months, including returning Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq to Iraqi control earlier in 2026. But key Gulf facilities remain within range of Iran’s existing missile stockpile.

Israeli air defense targets Iranian missiles in the sky of Tel Aviv, Israel, June 16, 2025. (Matan Golan/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Several US officials told Fox News that hiring in… Headquarters of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet In Bahrain it was Downgraded to “Mission Critical” Levels amid escalating tensions. A separate US official disputed that characterization, saying no order had been given to leave the employees or their families.

Meanwhile, the United States has reinforced a large number of naval and air assets in and around the region in recent days.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group operates in the Arabian Sea alongside multiple destroyers, while additional destroyers are stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf.

the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier The attack group is also heading towards the area. U.S. Air Force fighter jets — including F-15, F-16, F-35 and A-10 — are stationed throughout Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, supported by aerial refueling tankers, early warning aircraft and surveillance platforms, according to a recent Fox News military briefing.

Iran has demonstrated its willingness to use ballistic missiles against American targets before.

In January 2020, following the US strike that killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at US sites in Iraq. Dozens of US service members were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries.

This incident highlighted the weakness of forward-deployed forces within reach of Iran’s missile arsenal.

Can Iran reach Europe?

It is estimated that most known Iranian missile systems have a maximum range of about 2,000 kilometers.

Depending on the launch location, that could put parts of southeastern Europe — including Greece, Bulgaria and Romania — within reach. The United States has about 80,000 soldiers stationed across Europe, including in all three of these countries.

Western defense analysts widely believe that Iran operates the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. (Majed Saeedi/Getty Images)

Reaching deep into Europe would require longer-range systems than those Iran has publicly demonstrated as operational.

Can Iran attack the United States?

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Iran does not currently possess an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking US territory.

For the missile to reach the East Coast of the United States, it would need a range of about 10,000 kilometers – far beyond Iran’s known operational capability.

However, US intelligence agencies have warned that Iran’s space launch program could provide the technological basis for a future long-range missile.

In a recent threat overview, the Defense Intelligence Agency stated that Iran “possesses space launch vehicles that could be used to develop a militarily viable ICBM by 2035 if Tehran decides to pursue this capability.”

This assessment puts any potential Iranian ability to launch ICBMs roughly a decade away — and hinges on a political decision by Tehran.

US officials and defense analysts have particularly pointed to recent Iranian space launches, including missiles like Zolgana, which use solid-propellant propulsion. Solid-propellant engines can be stored and launched more quickly than liquid-fueled rockets, an advantage that is also important for military ballistic missiles.

Space launch vehicles and long-range ballistic missiles rely on similar multi-stage rocket technology. Analysts say progress in Iran’s space program could shorten the path to an intercontinental missile if Tehran chooses to adapt this technology for military use.

But currently, Iran has not deployed an ICBM, and the United States remains out of reach of its current ballistic missile arsenal.

US missile defenses – capable but limited

The United States relies on multi-layered missile defense systems – including the High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, the Patriot system and ship-based interceptors – to protect forces and allies from ballistic missile threats throughout the Middle East.

These systems are technically capable, but stocks of interceptor missiles are limited.

During a missile exchange between Iran and Israel in June 2025, US forces reportedly fired more than 150 THAAD interceptor missiles — nearly a quarter of the total the Pentagon has funded so far, according to defense analysts.

Economic factors also highlight the imbalance: open source estimates suggest that Iranian short-range ballistic missiles can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece, while advanced American interceptors like THAAD cost roughly $12 million or more per missile.

Exact inventory levels are classified. But experts who track Pentagon procurement data warn that replenishing advanced interceptors could take years, meaning prolonged, high-intensity missile exchanges could strain stockpiles even if U.S. defenses remain effective.

The missile program complicates negotiations

The ballistic missile issue has also emerged as a major fault line in ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Minister of State Marco Rubio Iran’s refusal to negotiate the limits of its ballistic missile program represents a “major problem,” a U.S. official said, suggesting the administration views the arsenal as a key component of long-term regional security.

Although current negotiations focus primarily on Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment activities, US officials have argued that launch systems – including ballistic missiles – cannot be separated from concerns about potential nuclear weapons.

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However, Iranian officials insist that their missile program is defensive in nature and not subject to negotiation as part of talks focused on the nuclear program.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the strategic reality remains clear: Iran cannot currently strike US territory with a ballistic missile. But US forces across the Middle East remain within range of Tehran’s existing arsenal — and future capabilities remain a subject of intelligence concern.

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