Iranian strikes on bases used by US caused $800m in damage, new analysis shows
Iranian strikes on bases used by US caused $800m in damage, new analysis shows
A recent assessment reveals that Iran’s attacks on US military installations across the Middle East have inflicted roughly $800 million in damage within the first two weeks of the ongoing conflict. This figure, higher than prior estimates, highlights the financial toll on American military infrastructure. The analysis, conducted by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and the BBC, suggests that much of the destruction stemmed from Iran’s immediate retaliation following the US and Israel’s initial strikes.
Underreported Costs
“The damage to US bases in the region has been underreported,” stated Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at CSIS and co-author of the study. He noted that while the extent of the harm is evident, the exact total will only be confirmed with further data.
When asked for a response, the US Department of Defense directed the BBC to US Central Command, which oversees the war. Officials there provided no additional comments. The attacks focused on critical systems, including air-defence networks and satellite-communication facilities, in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and other regional locations.
Key Targets and Damage Breakdown
According to BBC Verify’s satellite analysis, Iran struck at least three airbases multiple times, emphasizing a strategy of precision against specific US assets. Among the most significant hits was the destruction of a Thaad missile defense radar system in Jordan. The AN/TPY-2 radar, valued at about $485 million, plays a vital role in long-range ballistic missile detection. Its damage, along with other infrastructure losses, contributed to an additional $310 million in estimated costs.
Satellite imagery also captured fresh damage at three key bases: Kuwait’s Ali Al-Salim, Qatar’s Al-Udeid, and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan. These sites, where US aircraft and defense systems are stationed, showed varying levels of destruction. Smoke from a Thaad radar component at Prince Sultan’s base was visible, while more severe damage was observed at UAE and Jordanian facilities. The full cost of these strikes remains unclear.
Economic and Strategic Impacts
The conflict has disrupted global trade, with the Strait of Hormuz nearing closure and uncertainty over its duration. This has raised concerns about economic stability. Meanwhile, the US has lost 13 military personnel since President Donald Trump joined Israel in launching the attacks on Iran on 28 February.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana), based in the US, estimates that the war has claimed nearly 3,200 lives, including 1,400 civilians. Trump, at a White House event, claimed the US is on course to fulfill its objectives of dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, weakening its conventional military, and ending its support for regional proxy groups.
Despite these strategic aims, the war has already reached a financial milestone. Defense officials reportedly informed Congress that the first six days cost $11.3 billion, and the first 12 days totaled $16.5 billion, according to CSIS. The degradation of radar and satellite systems, including the loss of two radomes in early strikes, has forced the US to relocate Thaad components from South Korea to the Middle East.
