The targeted countries host sprawling American military bases and thousands of personnel at a time when the United States is waging war against Iran.

© Arash Khamooshi/Polaris for The New York Times

The U.S. and Iranian militaries continued to exchange strikes early Thursday in the Middle East region, sidelining negotiations between the two nations. U.S. Central Command said it launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites. The agency added that U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy assets “fired precision munitions”…

The U.S. and Iranian militaries continued to exchange strikes early Thursday in the Middle East region, sidelining negotiations between the two nations. U.S. Central Command said it launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites. The agency added that U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy assets “fired precision munitions”…