Iranian strikes on bases used by US caused $800m in damage, new analysis shows

Iranian Strikes on US Bases Caused $800m in Damage, New Analysis Shows

A recent assessment indicates that Iranian attacks on U.S. military installations in the Middle East have resulted in approximately $800 million in damages within the first fortnight of the conflict. The report, co-authored by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and analyzed by the BBC, highlights that the majority of this damage occurred during Iran’s early counterattacks following the U.S.-led offensive against the country in the week of February 28. While the total impact remains unclear, the $800 million figure exceeds prior estimates, illustrating the mounting expenses for the United States as the war continues.

“The damage to U.S. bases has been underreported,” remarked Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at CSIS and one of the study’s authors. “Although it seems widespread, the exact total will only become known once more details emerge.”

Iran’s strikes focused on critical systems, including air defense and satellite communication infrastructure, across multiple countries. A notable incident involved a strike on a Thaad missile defense radar in Jordan, which is estimated to have cost around $485 million, according to CSIS. This attack, among others, underscores Iran’s strategic aim to disrupt U.S. military capabilities in the region. Additional damages to buildings and facilities on U.S. bases totaled an estimated $310 million, with at least three airfields struck repeatedly, as observed through satellite imagery analysis.

The war’s economic repercussions include the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route. Concerns over its prolonged duration and potential U.S. troop deployment have further heightened global uncertainty. Although satellite imagery analysis has been limited by restrictions from major U.S. providers, patterns in Iran’s attacks—particularly targeting radar and satellite systems—have become evident. Early strikes hit a U.S. naval base in Bahrain, and subsequent attacks damaged radomes, protective covers for sensitive equipment, at locations like Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has incurred casualties, with 13 military personnel reported missing since the conflict began. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) estimates total fatalities at nearly 3,200, including 1,400 civilians. President Donald Trump, who initiated the attacks alongside Israel, claims the U.S. is nearing its objectives of dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, weakening its conventional forces, and curbing its regional allies’ influence. Yet, the war’s cost extends beyond direct damage, as the Department of Defense reported initial six-day losses at $11.3 billion and twelve-day expenses at $16.5 billion, according to CSIS data.