Sep 16·Geo
Follow-up 2h ago Major3
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Pentagon: Iranian Strikes Damaged Hundreds of US Buildings, Nearly 60 Aircraft
Pentagon inspector general reports that Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and nearly 60 aircraft at US military bases across eight countries, with equipment losses estimated at $3.7 billion. Photos obtained by CBS News corroborate the damage, showing destroyed aircraft and structures at installations in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Quick Facts
- Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at US military bases
- Nearly 60 aircraft were damaged or destroyed
- Boeing E-3 Sentry radar aircraft destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Force Base
- Trailers and structures damaged at Camp Buehring, Kuwait
- Four-storey building damaged at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
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Images obtained by CBS News and shared with the BBC show extensive damage across US military installations in the Middle East from Iranian attacks. Photos provided by active-duty personnel depict a severed Boeing E-3 Sentry radar aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia, flattened trailers and structures at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, and a four-storey building damaged at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. While the photos are undated, BBC Verify previously confirmed a similar image of the destroyed E-3 aircraft in March 2026.
According to a Pentagon inspector general report released in mid-September, Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at US bases across eight countries: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. Equipment losses through June 30, 2026, totaled $3.7 billion, with nearly 60 aircraft damaged or destroyed. The report noted that dozens of aircraft were destroyed or damaged on the ground in Saudi Arabia, including five refuelling aircraft. A separate Congressional Budget Office assessment noted that the E-3 aircraft alone costs approximately $500 million and is no longer in production; replacement would require acquiring the newer E-7 model. Overall equipment losses, including planes, drones, and air defence systems, were estimated at $1.9 billion.
One unnamed military member told CBS: "This is major damage to our bases that hasn't been communicated to the American public." Another stated: "We're not defending these bases. We're just watching them get destroyed." The White House referred inquiries to US Central Command, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The photos have not been independently verified by the BBC. The Congressional Budget Office noted that its review was subject to uncertainty because the Department of Defense did not respond to requests for information, requiring reliance on databases and public reports. The extent of planned repairs and rebuilding remains unclear according to the report.
Why This Matters
Pentagon-documented damage across eight Middle Eastern military installations quantifies infrastructure losses exceeding $3.7 billion through June 2026, including irreplaceable assets such as Boeing E-3 radar aircraft (no longer in production; replacement cost ~$500 million each). The disclosed scale of destruction—hundreds of buildings and structures—affects US military readiness in a strategically critical region and may influence repair timelines, force posture adjustments, and equipment procurement decisions. Congressional Budget Office assessment notes incomplete Department of Defense data submission, introducing uncertainty into final loss figures.