WASHINGTON - More than 115 missile and drone strikes claimed by Iran or Iran-backed forces damaged or destroyed structures at 26 U.S. military bases and other sites across the Middle East through August, according to an Associated Press analysis of satellite imagery and interviews with four regional officials.
The findings indicate that the damage was substantially broader than earlier public estimates. The AP said Iran initially targeted early-warning radars and air-defense systems before striking aircraft, hangars, warehouses, communications equipment, fuel infrastructure and troop facilities.
Hundreds of Structures Damaged
From April through June, hundreds of buildings and other structures at U.S. facilities were damaged or destroyed, the analysis found.
Among the costliest losses was an early-warning radar in Jordan valued at about $500 million. A radar system in Qatar purchased under a $1.1 billion agreement also sustained major damage.
U.S. sites in Kuwait were among the hardest hit. Ali Al Salem Air Base was struck at least 30 times, damaging or destroying at least 15 aircraft hangars, warehouses and buildings near a residential area. More than 30 structures at Camp Buehring were damaged during a period when high-quality commercial satellite imagery was not publicly available.
Some U.S. Assets Moved From the Gulf
Two regional officials told the AP that Washington moved some aircraft, air-defense systems, communications equipment and other assets out of the Persian Gulf after the attacks.
U.S. Central Command declined to detail the damage, citing operational security. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said U.S. forces and bases remained protected and had what they needed to carry out their missions.
The total repair cost has not been disclosed. The Pentagon previously estimated overall U.S. spending on the war with Iran at $47.1 billion, but that figure did not include damage to military bases.
The assessment comes as U.S. officials discuss the possibility of renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections. Tehran has warned that another attack would prompt strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets in the region.
Sources: Vesti Baku; Associated Press.