Fresh satellite analysis has revealed that Iran’s attacks on US military bases in the Gulf caused far greater damage than previously disclosed by the Trump administration.
A report by The Washington Post,
based on over 100 satellite images released by Iran, found that at least 228 structures and military assets were hit across 15 American bases during the month long conflict. The strikes reportedly damaged hangars, barracks, fuel depots, aircraft, radar systems and communication facilities. Some bases were left partially unusable after the attacks.
Heavy Damage Across Gulf Bases
The worst damage was reported at the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and key military facilities in Kuwait, including Ali Al Salem Air Base, Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring. Patriot missile defence systems, fuel storage sites and power infrastructure were among the assets destroyed.
Satellite communication systems at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were also hit. THAAD radar systems in Jordan and the UAE were reportedly destroyed during the strikes.
In Saudi Arabia, an E 3 Sentry surveillance aircraft and a refuelling tanker were destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base. The report also said the US lost around 40 drones and fighter aircraft during combat, rescue missions and friendly fire incidents. These included MQ 9 Reaper drones, MQ 4C Triton drones and several F 15E Strike Eagles. Iran also claimed it shot down an F 35 fighter jet, though this has not been independently verified.
New: A Washington Post satellite imagery review reveals that Iran has caused far more damage to US military sites than previously reported.
Amid a US imagery blackout, Iran has released more than 100 images of strikes on US bases.
We analyzed them: https://t.co/r68Qpki0TG pic.twitter.com/dLap8pwuMt
— Evan Hill (@evanhill) May 6, 2026
‘The Iranian Attacks Were Precise’
Military experts who reviewed the satellite images said the strikes appeared highly accurate and targeted.
“The Iranian attacks were precise. There are no random craters indicating misses,” Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel, told The Washington Post.
The report said Iran focused on military infrastructure such as hangars, barracks and warehouses. Living quarters, gyms and dining halls were also damaged in some attacks.
Cancian suggested the US may have allowed certain low priority targets to be hit instead of using expensive interceptor missiles against cheaper Iranian drones. “US forces may have chosen to allow an incoming missile to strike if it seems likely to hit an unimportant target,” he said.
War Cost Could Reach Billions
The financial cost of the conflict is expected to be enormous. While the Pentagon estimated the war’s cost at around $25 billion, several analysts and lawmakers believe the actual figure could rise to between $40 billion and $50 billion once repairs and military replacements are completed.
