ISTANBUL: The United States has lost nearly $2 billion worth of military equipment during the first four days of its military operations against Iran, according to estimates and data compiled by Anadolu using open-source intelligence reports and official confirmations from regional authorities.
Major radar system destroyed in Qatar
The most significant financial loss occurred at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where a US AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system valued at approximately $1.1 billion was struck by an Iranian missile on Saturday. Qatari officials confirmed that the radar installation was hit and damaged during the attack, reports the Turkish news agencyAnadolu.
Fighter jets lost in friendly fire incident
Another major loss came on Sunday when three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were destroyed in what officials described as a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses. Although all six aircrew members survived the incident, the aircraft themselves were lost. The estimated replacement cost for the three jets is about $282 million.
Fifth Fleet headquarters struck in Bahrain
During its opening wave of attacks on Saturday, Iran also struck the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The strike destroyed two satellite communications terminals and damaged several large buildings within the facility.
Using open-source intelligence analysis, the targeted satellite communication systems were identified as AN/GSC-52B SATCOM terminals. Each unit is estimated to cost around $20 million when deployment and installation expenses are included.
THAAD radar reportedly destroyed in UAE
Iran also claimed to have destroyed the AN/TPY-2 radar component of the THAAD Anti-Ballistic Missile System deployed in Al-Ruwais Industrial City in the United Arab Emirates. Satellite imagery reviewed through open-source intelligence reports suggests that the radar site was indeed struck. The value of the destroyed radar component alone is estimated to be around $500 million.
Combining these losses, analysts estimate that $1.902 billion worth of US military assets have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict escalated on Saturday.
Iranian strikes target multiple US bases
Since the United States and Israel began striking Iran, Iranian forces have targeted at least seven US military locations across the Middle East. These include the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Buehring in Kuwait, the Erbil Base in Iraq, Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates, and Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
In Kuwait, photographs taken Sunday afternoon showed collapsed rooftops and visible structural damage at several locations inside Ali Al Salem Air Base following reports of an Iranian strike the previous day.
Camp Arifjan was reported to be the primary site where six US service members were killed during the attacks.
A widely circulated video recorded Sunday inside Camp Buehring in Kuwait showed a drone flying over the installation before exploding within its perimeter, highlighting the vulnerability of the base during the escalating conflict.
Damage at Erbil base in Iraq
Further north, the military installation at Erbil International Airport in Iraq, where US forces are stationed, was repeatedly targeted by Iranian strikes throughout Saturday and Sunday. Footage and photographs confirmed by the New York Times showed smoke and flames rising from the area.
By Sunday morning, satellite images revealed that four structures in one section of the base had been damaged or destroyed, with fires continuing to burn into early Monday.
Strike reported near US naval zone in Dubai
In the United Arab Emirates, satellite imagery taken Sunday showed smoke rising from a large building within a fenced US Navy recreational zone at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. Although Jebel Ali is not an official US military base, it is among the US Navy’s most frequently used ports of call in the Middle East.
US diplomatic missions also targeted
Iranian attacks also extended to several US diplomatic missions across the region.
The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was hit by two drones. The Saudi Defense Ministry reported “limited fire and minor material damage” to the compound. According to The Washington Post, the CIA Station inside the compound was also hit.
In Kuwait City, the US Embassy was attacked with drone and missile strikes described as a “brutal” Iranian attack by Kuwaiti officials.
Smoke was reported near the compound, although damage details remain limited in public reporting. The embassy later announced it would close “until further notice” while non-essential staff and family members were evacuated.
Meanwhile, the US Consulate General in Dubai was struck by an Iranian drone that hit a parking lot adjacent to the chancellery building.
The strike started a fire that was quickly contained by local authorities. Officials said the consulate grounds sustained some impact, although no major structural destruction was reported.
