A recent analysis reveals that the wave of Iranian attacks on military bases utilized by the United States across the Middle East inflicted an estimated US$800 million (Rp13.5 trillion) in damages during the first two weeks of the ongoing conflict.
According to a report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and BBC analysis, the bulk of this damage occurred during Iran’s initial retaliatory strikes, specifically in the first week following the commencement of US and Israeli military operations.
While the full scope of damage to US assets in the region remains to be definitively ascertained, this estimated loss of US$800 million to US military infrastructure—a figure higher than previous reports—underscores the substantial and mounting financial burden on Washington as the conflict persists.
“The damage to US bases in the region has been largely underreported,” stated Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at CSIS and one of the report’s co-authors. He added, “While the extent of the destruction appears considerable, the precise amount will not be known until more comprehensive information becomes available.”
In response to a request for comment, the US Department of Defense directed BBC to US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is overseeing the war operations. However, officials at CENTCOM declined to provide any statement.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes strategically targeted critical US air defense systems and satellite communication facilities, affecting locations in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and several other Middle Eastern nations.
A significant portion of the total damage resulted from attacks on a US radar system, an integral component of the advanced Thaad missile defense system, located at an air base in Jordan.
This specific AN/TPY 2 radar system is valued at approximately US$485 million (Rp8.2 trillion), according to CSIS’s review of US Department of Defense budget documents. This sophisticated air defense system is primarily designed for intercepting long-range ballistic missiles.
Beyond this, Iranian attacks also caused an estimated additional US$310 million (Rp5.2 trillion) in damages to various buildings, facilities, and other essential infrastructure at US bases and military installations used by American forces throughout the region.
Further insights from BBC Verify’s satellite imagery analysis reveal that Iran has repeatedly struck at least three air bases, indicating a deliberate and persistent targeting strategy.
These recurring attacks underscore Tehran’s concerted efforts to precisely target specific US assets. Notably, Russia has also reportedly shared intelligence with Tehran regarding the presence of American forces in the region, aiding Iran’s targeting capabilities.
Satellite images confirm that three particular air bases—Ali Al Salim Air Base in Kuwait, Al Udeid in Qatar, and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia—have sustained fresh damage across different phases of the escalating conflict.
Amidst this intensifying conflict, which saw the US join Israel in launching operations against Iran on February 28, the US has also suffered the loss of 13 military personnel. Furthermore, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) estimates that the overall death toll from the conflict has neared 3,200 individuals, including approximately 1,400 civilians.
The analysis of satellite imagery has been hampered by restrictions imposed by US-based service providers on the distribution of these crucial images, limiting a full, unobstructed view of the damage.
Nevertheless, despite these limitations, distinct patterns of Iran’s retaliatory attacks against US military interests in the Gulf region have been successfully identified.
From the outset, radar and satellite systems emerged as primary targets. For instance, Iranian strikes heavily impacted a US naval base in Bahrain. These sophisticated systems serve as the “eyes and ears” of modern military operations, making their neutralization a strategic priority.
Satellite imagery, among other indicators, shows the destruction of two radomes—protective structures for this sensitive equipment. While the precise extent of the internal system damage remains unconfirmed, it is highly probable that the protected systems were also compromised.
Radar sites at Camp Arifjan, a US military facility in Kuwait, and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, where US aircraft are stationed, also came under attack. Imagery from Prince Sultan Air Base notably depicted plumes of smoke emanating from the radar components of the Thaad air defense system.
More severe damage to Thaad systems has been observed at US bases in the UAE and Jordan. Although the full extent of these losses is not yet known, the reported degradation of these systems’ capabilities has necessitated the US to redeploy Thaad components from South Korea to the Middle East to bolster defenses.
It is important to note that the damage resulting from Iran’s retaliatory strikes represents only a fraction of the United States’ overall financial commitment to the war.
Department of Defense officials reportedly informed members of Congress that the initial six days of the conflict incurred costs of US$11.3 billion (Rp191.6 trillion), with the first 12 days reaching US$16.5 billion (Rp279.7 trillion), according to CSIS data.
The Pentagon is currently seeking an additional US$200 billion (Rp3,391 trillion) in funding for the ongoing war efforts, a staggering amount reflecting the scale of the conflict.
On Thursday, March 19, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that this figure “could still change,” indicating the dynamic and unpredictable nature of wartime expenditures.
“It takes money to defeat an enemy,” Hegseth asserted, emphasizing the financial demands of the military campaign.
President Trump has stated that the US is on track to achieve its strategic objectives: to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, diminish the nation’s conventional military strength, and halt the regime’s support for proxy groups across the region.
“We’re doing very well in Iran,” Trump affirmed during a White House event on Friday, March 20, expressing confidence in the military campaign’s progress.
However, the protracted conflict has significantly roiled the global economy, primarily due to the near-closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, coupled with ongoing uncertainty regarding the war’s duration and the potential for President Trump to deploy ground troops.
Summary
A recent analysis by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and BBC reveals that Iranian attacks on US military bases in the Middle East inflicted an estimated US$800 million (Rp13.5 trillion) in damages within the first two weeks of the ongoing conflict. The bulk of this damage occurred during Iran’s initial retaliatory strikes, primarily targeting critical US air defense systems, satellite communication facilities, and general infrastructure. A significant portion of the cost, approximately US$485 million, resulted from attacks on an AN/TPY 2 radar system, a component of the Thaad missile defense, at an air base in Jordan.
These deliberate attacks also caused an estimated US$310 million in damage to various buildings and facilities across US installations in the region, including repeated strikes on air bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. This figure, however, represents only a fraction of the total war costs for the United States, which have already reached billions and are projected to increase significantly. The conflict has also led to the loss of 13 US military personnel and contributed to global economic instability due to regional tensions.