Doha: The US has experienced significant losses of military equipment, totaling nearly $2 billion, during its initial military operations against Iran that began on Saturday. The losses include critical infrastructure and aircraft, marking a substantial impact on US military capabilities in the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the most significant loss was the US AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system, valued at $1.1 billion, stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This system was reportedly struck by an Iranian missile on Saturday, a hit that Qatar has confirmed resulted in damage to the radar.
Further compounding the losses, three F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti air defenses on Sunday in a friendly fire incident. While all six aircrew members survived, the aircraft were destroyed, and replacement costs are estimated at $282 million.
Iran's opening attack on Saturday also targeted the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, leading to the destruction of two satellite communications terminals and several large buildings. The targeted SATCOM terminals, identified through open-source intelligence as AN/GSC-52Bs, are valued at approximately $20 million, including deployment and installation costs.
In another significant blow, Iran claimed to have destroyed the AN/TPY-2 radar component of the THAAD Anti-Ballistic Missile System deployed at Al-Ruwais Industrial City in the UAE. Satellite imagery and open-source intelligence reports suggest a confirmed hit on this component, estimated to be worth $500 million.
Cumulatively, these incidents have resulted in Iran damaging $1.902 billion worth of US military assets across the region. Iran's strikes have extended to at least seven US military sites throughout the Middle East, including the US Fifth Fleet's headquarters in Bahrain, multiple bases in Kuwait, Erbil Base in Iraq, Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, and Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
The impact of these strikes is evident in Kuwait, where images from Sunday show collapsed rooftops at Ali Al Salem Air Base following an Iranian strike. Camp Arifjan was the site where six US service members lost their lives. Additionally, a video from Camp Buehring in Kuwait showed a drone exploding within the installation's perimeter.
Footage confirmed by the New York Times indicated repeated targeting of the Erbil International Airport military installation in Iraq, which resulted in visible smoke and flames. Satellite images show significant damage to structures within the base, with fires continuing into early Monday.
Jebel Ali Port in Dubai also faced an attack, with satellite imagery showing smoke rising from a US Navy recreational zone. Although not an official base, Jebel Ali is a crucial port frequented by the US Navy.
Aside from military installations, US diplomatic missions have also been targeted. The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was hit by drones, causing minor damage. The CIA Station within the compound was reportedly struck. In Kuwait City, the US Embassy faced drone and missile strikes, resulting in the evacuation of non-essential staff and families. The US Consulate General in Dubai sustained damage from a suspected Iranian drone strike, although the fire was quickly contained.