A majority of US military installations across West Asia have been damaged by Iran and its allies, with some facilities left effectively unusable, according to a CNN investigation.

At least 16 US military sites in eight Middle Eastern countries were struck, CNN reported, with the damage in some cases severe enough to render the positions virtually inoperable.

The findings suggest that these affected facilities make up most US military positions in the region, according to a congressional aide familiar with damage assessments.

Widespread damage across eight countries

The investigation drew on dozens of satellite images alongside interviews with sources in the United States and Gulf Arab states.

A range of assessments has emerged regarding the extent of the damage.

“There has been a spectrum of assessments,” the source told CNN. “From a pretty dramatic side, of the whole facility is destroyed and needs to be shut down, to leaders who say these things are worth repairing due to the strategic benefit they give the US.”

Another US source familiar with the situation added: “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Satellite imagery reportedly indicated that Iran’s main targets included advanced radar systems, communications infrastructure, and aircraft. Many of these assets are costly and difficult to replace.

“It’s notable they really identified those facilities as the most cost-effective targets to hit,” the congressional aide said. “Our radar systems (are) our most expensive and our most limited resources in the region.”

Rising costs of the war on Iran

Pentagon comptroller Jules “Jay” Hurst III told lawmakers on Wednesday that the war on Iran has cost the United States $25 billion so far.

However, a source familiar with the matter later told CNN that internal estimates place the real cost closer to $40–50 billion.

“The war showed us that the alliance with the US cannot be exclusive and it is not impregnable,” one Saudi source told CNN.

It is worth noting that Iran has repeatedly said that US military bases and economic assets in the Gulf region have been used to launch acts of aggression against Iran, including strikes that have resulted in civilian casualties. In this framing, any Iranian action targeting such facilities is a retaliation against hostile military activity originating from or enabled by those bases.

Source:Websites