Iran War Damages Hundreds of US Base Structures, Pushing Costs to $33 Billion
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Sep 17
Iran War Damages Hundreds of US Base Structures, Pushing Costs to $33 Billion
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Sep 17
Summary
$33 billion in war costs and damage to hundreds of buildings were detailed in a Pentagon inspector general report, while newly obtained photos showed severe strike damage at U.S. sites in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
One image appears to show a damaged $270 million E-3 Sentry at Prince Sultan Air Base, and a senior service member said some bases have been so badly hit that repairs could take decades.
The Pentagon declined to comment publicly on the full extent of damage, even as satellite imagery and leaked photos undercut earlier efforts to downplay Iran's offensive reach.
Since the war began on Feb. 28, 18 U.S. service members have been killed and 824 wounded; fighting has continued intermittently after an April ceasefire, with strikes still hitting bases across the region.
With billions in damages and depleted defenses hidden from the public, what else is the military concealing about the Middle East attacks?
If modern U.S. air defenses were easily overwhelmed by new drone tactics, how vulnerable are remaining global forces to similar strikes?
U.S.-Iran War 2026: Human, Military, and Geopolitical Costs of a Shattered Middle East Order
Overview
The US-Israeli war with Iran, which began in February 2026, triggered a cascade of destruction and strategic strain. Iranian missile and drone attacks devastated key US military and diplomatic sites, forcing the US to relocate its logistics hub to Diego Garcia and endure severe supply delays. The conflict’s intensity led to hundreds of wounded US service members, mostly with traumatic brain injuries, as medical evacuations became difficult after the withdrawal of helicopters. Iran’s advanced missile tactics overwhelmed US air defenses, rapidly depleting Patriot and THAAD interceptor stockpiles. This depletion forced the US to divert resources from Asia, undermining alliances and exposing global vulnerabilities, while Gulf states suffered massive economic losses as oil and gas trade was choked off.