Iran preparing to attack US bases if US joins Israeli attack, with Iraq first target: Report

Iran has positioned military gear and missiles to strike US bases in the Middle East in preparation for the US deciding to join Israel in attacking the Islamic Republic, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. 

The US is already defending Israel from Iranian strikes and supplying it with military gear, but is not yet believed to be engaging directly in offensive operations. 

Tehran is widely expected to retaliate to any US strikes by attacking American military bases. 

The US has thousands of troops in the Arabian Gulf, but the NYT says Iran is likely to start with attacks on Iraq. 

Iraq is home to thousands of fighters who belong to pro-Iranian militias.