Regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations in the Near East

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism is launching a targeted initiative to combat the threat of explosive harvesting in the Near East, where unexploded ordnance from Iranian-origin ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems continues to pose a severe risk to regional stability and U.S. national security. This effort aims to prevent malign actors from repurposing abandoned explosive materials into weapons targeting U.S. facilities, critical infrastructure, and civilian populations by enhancing the capacity of security forces in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Gulf Cooperation Council states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—to safely identify, neutralize, and dispose of hazardous ordnance. The program will provide comprehensive training and specialized equipment in explosive ordnance disposal, counter-improvised explosive device tactics, and post-blast forensic investigation to enable local forces to disrupt weaponization efforts and support legal attribution and prosecution of those involved. The initiative, solicited under DFOP0018683 and categorized under NAICS code 611430, is open to qualified organizations responding by the close of business on July 20, 2026. The funding is directed toward strengthening the operational capabilities of Iraqi security forces, the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Lebanese Internal Security Forces, and GCC member state security services to mitigate the ongoing threat posed by explosive remnants of conflict. By improving local expertise and response infrastructure, the program directly supports U.S. efforts to safeguard regional security and reduce the likelihood of attacks fueled by harvested explosive materials. All activities are to be conducted within the designated regional theater, with point of contact information provided through the Bureau of Counterterrorism at the Department of State.