Iran’s advanced weapons pose billions in damage to US bases

An examination of the July 17th strike on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three American service members, highlights the significant improvement in Iran’s tactics and their costly impact. The attack, occurring at night, directly targeted and damaged 19 buildings housing American troops.

Analysis suggests Iran’s targeting has become increasingly precise, enabling them to hit smaller structures than previously possible. This complexity demonstrates that Iran’s capabilities have been growing, contradicting earlier assertions from the Trump administration.

During the initial phase of the conflict, Iran inflicted damage on at least 119 buildings across 13 installations within a two-week period. Despite subsequent U.S.-Israeli joint airstrikes aimed at disrupting Tehran’s missile network, attacks have continued.

The Wall Street Journal estimates that Iran has subsequently damaged an additional 155 structures, impacting 13 more military installations by the end of July.

The Defense Department reports that over 20 U.S. service members have died and more than 400 have been wounded during the conflict.

The Pentagon estimates damages to U.S. bases in the region to be at least $5 billion, with a potential total cost reaching $15 billion. This figure is not included in the DoD’s current war cost estimates of $47.1 billion, as of October 16.

While the Defense Department has maintained that Iran’s attack capabilities have been neutralized, recent months have seen the U.S. military withdrawing personnel from bases in the region.

President Trump is considering further airstrikes on Iran following the midterm elections, prompting Iran to pledge retaliation across the region. Pentagon officials have cautioned that such retaliation could be among the most severe attacks yet, with Iran potentially reserving its most advanced missiles for future engagements.