Iranian strikes across multiple U.S. military bases in the Gulf region caused up to $5 billion in damage, raising questions in Washington over Pentagon transparency and the true cost of military operations.
Iran Strikes Damage Multiple US Bases In Gulf
The conflict began Feb. 28, when U.S.-Israeli strikes kicked off the war and early damage included an incident at Camp Buehring in Kuwait involving an Iranian F-5 fighter jet.
On Saturday, NBC News cited six people familiar with the damage in describing the scope of the strikes.
Sites in the United Arab Emirates were also listed among the locations with damage, including Al Dhafra Air Base and Al Ruwais, where affected areas included fuel storage, a medical clinic, hangars, barracks and other buildings.
Additional locations impacted in the reporting included Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and multiple facilities in Kuwait, such as Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring and Shuaiba Port.
Separately, officials told NBC News that the U.S. Navy’s headquarters building in Bahrain sustained significant damage, along with at least two air defense systems.
A congressional official, citing a Pentagon assessment, told The New York Times that work on the Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters alone could reach $200 million.
Lawmakers Seek Answers On Iran Strike Damage
Aides and lawmakers told NBC News they have received limited briefings on the scope of damage.
One aide said, “No one knows anything. And it’s not for lack of asking,” and added, “We have been asking for weeks and not getting specifics, even as the Pentagon is asking for a record-high budget.”
An outside review from the American Enterprise Institute said Iranian strikes also hit Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, a runway at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and a munitions storage site at a base in northern Iraq, per NBC.
AEI senior fellow Mackenzie Eaglen said, “As part of Epic Fury, the potential future costs to rebuild American military infrastructure overseas may include repair, reconstruction, outright replacement, or even abandonment/decommissioning of locales.”
Eaglen also said, “War damage also includes estimated costs for infrastructure that is unsalvageable.”
US-Iran Tensions Escalate
On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he canceled planned envoy talks with Iran via Pakistan, citing internal divisions in Tehran, while insisting that “We have all the cards, they have none.”
Iranian officials said no meeting had been scheduled.
U.S. forces intercepted and redirected several Iranian-flagged oil tankers across Asian waters as part of an expanded naval blockade.
The moves came amid rising maritime tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route, where Iran has reportedly targeted shipping.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock/ Hamara
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