Iran's advancements in missile and drone technology have resulted in damages to U.S. bases in the Middle East estimated to be as high as $15 billion since the conflict began, according to a new report.
An analysis of the July 17 strike that killed three American service members at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan highlighted Iran's significantly improved tactics and their costly impact. This nighttime assault specifically targeted 19 buildings housing American troops, a precision and scale that departed from previous attacks, sources told The Wall Street Journal.
Initial reports from the early weeks of the war indicated that Iran damaged at least 119 buildings across 13 installations. However, the Journal's analysis suggests Iran hit another 155 structures by the end of July, with 13 additional military installations sustaining damage. The Pentagon estimates the damage to U.S. bases in the region at a minimum of $5 billion, with the potential cost reaching $15 billion.
These figures are separate from the Defense Department's overall war cost estimates, which stood at $47.1 billion as of October 16. The report comes amid ongoing conflict and amid considerations by U.S. leadership regarding potential renewed airstrikes on Iran, while Iran has pledged retaliation.
The U.S. military has reportedly been withdrawing personnel from some regional bases in recent months. Pentagon officials have cautioned that any retaliatory actions from Iran could be among the most severe to date, with intelligence suggesting Iran may be preserving its most advanced missiles for future engagements.