Why Iran Struck the Gulf — Not the U.S. Directly Yes, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted U.S. military bases in Gulf states and caused explosions across the region. Iran has launched missiles toward U.S. forces in places like Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan as part of its retaliation to Western strikes on Iranian territory. But Iran has not attacked the continental United States directly. There are real, structural reasons for that. Here’s how to understand it like an investor and strategist, not like a headline reader. Does Iran have the capability to strike the U.S? Geography Dictates Strategy Iran simply does not have the capability to strike the U.S. mainland reliably. Short- and medium-range missiles can reach U.S. bases throughout the Gulf region — not the continental U.S. So when Iran responds, it strikes where it can hit and where the impact resonates. And that's 100% strategic. The fulcrums of U.S operations in the Middle East The Gulf...