Iranian airstrikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures and pieces of equipment at US military facilities across the Middle East since the conflict began on February 28, according to an investigation published on May 6 by The Washington Post. The findings point to a far greater scale of destruction than has been publicly acknowledged.
According to the report, the strikes hit aircraft hangars, barracks, fuel depots, military aircraft, and critical radar, communications, and air defence systems in at least 15 US-linked sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Based on satellite imagery analysis, the findings indicate that the extent of damage exceeds previous estimates by US officials and earlier media reports, raising new concerns about the vulnerability of American bases in the region.
Satellite imagery shows damage to US military facilities across the Middle East following Iranian strikes. (Source: Iranian state media)
The investigation was based on more than 100 high-resolution satellite images released by Iranian state media. It verified 109 of them by cross-checking against imagery from the European Union's Copernicus system and commercially available data, finding no evidence of manipulation. Further analysis revealed previously unreported damaged structures.
Access to independent satellite imagery has become increasingly constrained during the conflict. Two major commercial providers, Vantor and Planet, have complied with the US government's requests to limit or delay publication of images from the region, complicating efforts to determine the full extent of Iranian counterstrikes.
According to US military figures cited in the report, seven service members have been killed in attacks on regional bases—six in Kuwait and one in Saudi Arabia—and more than 400 troops have been injured, with at least 12 seriously.
Officials said the persistent threat of Iranian strikes forced commanders to reduce troop levels at some installations early in the conflict and relocate personnel beyond the range of attacks.
Analysts reviewing the imagery said the strikes appeared to be more precise than expected. "The Iranian attacks were precise. There are no random craters indicating misses," said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired US Marine Corps colonel.
Experts also identified broader shortcomings in US defences, including limited adaptation to drone warfare, insufficient hardened shelters, and an apparent underestimation of Iran's targeting capabilities.
More than half of the reported damage occurred at the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and major bases in Kuwait, including Camp Arifjan, the US Army's regional headquarters.
According to a US official, the damage at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain was "extensive", and the Fifth Fleet headquarters has been relocated to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, the home of US Central Command. The official stated that personnel were unlikely to return "anytime soon."
Two other officials stated that US forces may not return to some regional bases in large numbers, although no final decision has been made.
The report also highlights mounting pressure on US air defence systems. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that at least 190 THAAD interceptors and 1,060 Patriot interceptors were used between February 28 and April 8—accounting for roughly half of prewar inventories.
Despite the scale of the damage, analysts said the strikes did not fundamentally undermine US military operations. The US Central Command declined to comment in detail, disputing claims that the damage is the result of major operational failures.
Reporter | Liu Xiaodi
