Iranian strikes on bases used by US caused $800m in damage, new analysis shows
Iranian strikes on US bases in Middle East caused $800m in damage, new analysis reveals
A new assessment indicates that Iranian attacks on military installations used by the United States in the Middle East resulted in approximately $800 million in damages during the initial fortnight of the conflict. The report, compiled by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and verified by the BBC, highlights that significant losses occurred in the first week following the US and Israel’s initiation of hostilities.
While the complete scale of damage remains uncertain, the $800 million figure surpasses prior estimates, illustrating the growing financial burden on the US as the war intensifies. Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at CSIS and co-author of the study, stated:
“The damage to US bases in the region has been underestimated. Although the scope appears substantial, the precise total will only emerge with further data.”
Iran’s strikes focused on critical US systems, including air-defence networks and satellite communication infrastructure, across multiple countries in the region. Notably, a significant portion of the damage stemmed from an attack on a Thaad missile radar system at a Jordanian air base. The AN/TPY-2 radar, costing around $485 million, plays a vital role in long-range missile interception.
Additional losses totaled an estimated $310 million to US base facilities and infrastructure. Satellite imagery analysis by BBC Verify also identified repeated strikes on at least three air bases, suggesting Iran’s deliberate targeting of specific US assets. These strikes included sites in Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with visible damage captured in various stages of the conflict.
Russia’s intelligence sharing with Tehran has reportedly aided Iran’s strikes. Meanwhile, the US military has suffered casualties, with 13 service members killed since the war began on 28 February under President Donald Trump’s leadership. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) estimates the overall death toll at nearly 3,200, encompassing over 1,400 civilians.
Trump has expressed confidence in the war’s progress, claiming:
“We’re doing extremely well in Iran,” he remarked at a recent White House event. “Our objectives—destroying the nuclear program, weakening military capabilities, and ending regime support for regional proxies—are within reach.”
However, the conflict has disrupted global markets, with the Strait of Hormuz nearly closing and uncertainty over its duration.
Despite challenges in accessing satellite imagery due to restrictions from major US providers, patterns in Iran’s attacks are discernible. Early strikes targeted a US naval base in Bahrain, with subsequent assaults focusing on radar and satellite systems. Imagery reveals the destruction of two radomes—protective housings for sensitive equipment—though the exact damage to the systems themselves remains unclear.
Damage to Thaad systems has been particularly severe at US bases in the UAE and Jordan, prompting the US to shift components from South Korea to the Middle East. While the full cost of these strikes is not yet known, they represent a fraction of the overall war expenses. Defense officials reportedly informed Congress that the first six days of the war cost $11.3 billion, rising to $16.5 billion within the first 12 days.
