From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Iran war leaves US bases in ruins
Photos reveal hundreds of damaged structures across Middle East bases in a conflict now costing tens of billions.
In brief
Photos reveal hundreds of damaged structures across Middle East bases in a conflict now costing tens of billions. US military bases across the Middle East have suffered extensive damage from Iranian attacks that will take decades to repair, but the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the full extent of the…
Extensive damage across eight countries
Iranian attacks have damaged US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. The Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the full extent of the destruction.
Hundreds of buildings destroyed
A Pentagon inspector general report found that hundreds of buildings and structures have been damaged at American posts across the region since the war began on February 28.
Repairs will take decades
A senior US service member told ABC News the damage would require years and years of construction to repair. These bases have been irreparably damaged and rebuilding is not a six-month undertaking.
“These bases have been irreparably damaged. And if we choose to rebuild them, it's going to be a decades long undertaking.”
War costs between 33 and 38 billion
The Pentagon inspector general estimated the war's cost at 33 billion dollars, while the Congressional Budget Office put it at 38 billion dollars. The conflict has lasted more than six months.
18 killed, 824 wounded so far
Since the war started on February 28, eighteen service members have been killed and eight hundred twenty-four wounded, according to the Defense Department.
270 million dollar aircraft damaged
Photos show an E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft, valued at 270 million dollars, damaged in late March at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft is used for early warning and detection.
Pentagon downplays Iranian capability
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that some Iranian weapons penetrate US defenses, calling them powerful. The Pentagon has consistently downplayed Iran's overall offensive ability in the war.
“Every once in a while you might have one, unfortunately we call it a 'squirter,' that makes its way through.”
Public unaware of ongoing strikes
A service member told ABC News that Americans are unaware of the extent of damage and that drone and ballistic missile strikes are actively landing on bases every day. The conflict is being kept secret.
“I believe the American people are unaware of the extent of the damage that American bases are taking in the Middle East right now due to the conflict with Iran.”
The takeaway
US military bases across the Middle East have suffered extensive damage from Iranian attacks that will take decades to repair, but the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the full extent of the destruction.
