Shredded Tents, Destroyed Jet: Images Reveal Hidden Scale Of Iranian Strikes On US Gulf Bases

News world Shredded Tents, Destroyed Jet: Images Reveal Hidden Scale Of Iranian Strikes On US Gulf Bases

Shredded Tents, Destroyed Jet: Images Reveal Hidden Scale Of Iranian Strikes On US Gulf Bases

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Last Updated: September 17, 2026, 03:44 IST

The images, taken at a US base in Saudi Arabia and two facilities in Kuwait, were provided to CBS by American service members.

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Photo released by the US Navy shows a US Sailor checking ordnance on an F/A-18 Super Hornet aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington.

Images showing a destroyed aircraft, torn tents and badly damaged military trailers are offering a rare glimpse into the impact of Iranian strikes on US military facilities across the Middle East.

The images, taken at a US base in Saudi Arabia and two facilities in Kuwait, were provided to CBS by American service members who spoke anonymously because of military restrictions.

One US service member described the damage as significant and said much of it had not been made public. “We’re standing there with our eyes closed getting punched in the face," the service member told CBS.

“This is major damage to our bases that hasn’t been communicated to the American public," he added.

US Bases Suffer Widespread Damage

The images come as a Pentagon inspector general’s report details the scale of damage suffered by US forces during the conflict.

According to the report released last week, US Central Command said Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other structures at American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.

Dozens of US aircraft were also destroyed or damaged, the report said.

The Pentagon’s inspector general estimated that Operation Epic Fury cost the US $33.4 billion between February 28 and June 30. Of that amount, about $22.3 billion was spent on munitions.

The estimate does not include the cost of repairing damaged infrastructure, meaning the overall bill could rise further.

Pentagon Faces Weapons Shortfall

The report also confirmed that the US military is facing shortages of some ammunition following the war, despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that American weapons stocks remain strong.

The Pentagon said it was working to speed up procurement and production, while building stocks of key materials, components and selected munitions.

However, the inspector general warned that increasing production capacity would take significant time.

Trump has repeatedly said the US has “virtually unlimited" ammunition, rejecting concerns over depleted weapons stocks.

The report provides a different picture, highlighting the strain placed on US military supplies during months of sustained operations.

Iran Strikes Back Across Region

The US and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, with Trump saying the operation was aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons.

Iran responded with attacks on US military positions across the region, hitting facilities in several Gulf states and elsewhere.

Tehran also moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial energy route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies had previously passed.

The disruption sent oil prices higher and triggered wider concerns about the impact of the conflict on the global economy.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 What was the estimated cost of Operation Epic Fury and what did it cover? The Pentagon’s inspector general estimated that Operation Epic Fury cost the United States $33.4 billion between February 28 and June 30. Of this total, approximately $22.3 billion was spent on munitions. However, this estimate does not include the costs required to repair damaged infrastructure, meaning the final overall bill could rise even higher. Which US military bases in Kuwait were damaged by Iranian strikes? Iranian strikes targeted and damaged several US facilities in Kuwait, including Camp Buehring, Ali Al-Salem Airbase, Ahmed Al-Jaber Airbase, and Port Shuaiba. How did the conflict between the US and Iran affect the Strait of Hormuz and global energy markets? Following the outbreak of the war, Iran moved to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy route through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies had previously passed. This disruption sent global oil prices higher and triggered widespread concerns regarding the conflict's impact on the global economy. Powered by Ask News18

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First Published: September 17, 2026, 03:44 IST

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