The facts
AP's 31 October analysis found that, through August, more than 115 drone or missile strikes claimed by Iran or Iranian-backed militias had damaged or destroyed structures at 26 Middle East military bases and other sites with U.S. equipment. AP says it independently verified damage in satellite imagery from multiple providers. [1]
AP found that early attacks focused on aircraft hangars and systems for detecting incoming strikes before later attacks hit warehouses, troop housing and other facilities. [1]
Two regional officials told AP that damage had significantly reshaped the U.S. presence in the region and that the United States moved many assets, including aircraft, air-defence systems and communications equipment, out of the Persian Gulf. [1]
HuffPost's account of the Wall Street Journal investigation says the Journal identified 274 damaged structures at 24 installations during the war's first six months and cited U.S. officials' estimate of at least $5 billion in base damage. This is a separate estimate and count from AP's analysis. [4]
The Department of War inspector general published its first Operation Epic Fury report on 14 September, covering activity through 30 June. AP reported that the report acknowledged hundreds of buildings and other structures damaged or destroyed at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan. [2][3]
The Pentagon spokesperson said U.S. forces and bases were well protected. U.S. Central Command did not specify damage to bases or equipment, generally citing operational security, AP reported. [1]
Relevant context
The AP satellite review adds a later time window and site-level imagery to the inspector general's earlier reporting period; the AP and Journal totals use different methods and have not been combined. [1][2][3][4]
Still unconfirmed
- A final, audited total for repair and replacement costs has not been published; the at-least-$5-billion figure is an estimate attributed to U.S. officials by the Wall Street Journal.
- Whether the United States will rebuild affected facilities or return relocated assets to Persian Gulf bases remains unresolved.
Sources
References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 1 Nov 2026, 07:20 UTC.
AP's imagery-based count through August and the separate Wall Street Journal count for the war's first six months are not reconciled or combined. The $5-billion minimum is an estimate cited from U.S. officials by the Journal, as summarized by HuffPost. The official inspector-general listing confirms its report's date and period; AP's September report supplies the described findings.
- Iran targeted US air defenses then hit aircraft and buildings on Mideast bases, AP analysis finds
Associated Press · Reporting · 31 Oct 2026
AP says it independently checked satellite imagery from multiple providers and interviewed four regional officials briefed or with firsthand knowledge. Its strike count includes attacks claimed by Iran or Iranian-backed militias.
- Operation Epic Fury (OEF)
U.S. Department of War Office of Inspector General · Primary source · 14 Sept 2026
The official listing confirms the first Lead IG report's publication date and coverage through 30 June 2026. The page links the full report; AP's separate 14 September coverage describes its finding on damaged structures.
- US watchdog tallies Iran war’s hit to weapons stockpiles, military bases and more
Associated Press · Reporting · 14 Sept 2026
AP reports that the inspector general's report through 30 June acknowledged hundreds of structures damaged or destroyed at U.S. bases in eight countries. This is prior official context, not a separate AP confirmation of the later 26-site count.
- Iranian Strikes Caused At Least $5 Billion In Damage To U.S. Military Bases: WSJ
HuffPost (republished by Yahoo News) · Reporting · 31 Oct 2026
HuffPost's opened report summarizes the Wall Street Journal's separate satellite investigation. Its 24-installation/274-structure count and at-least-$5-billion estimate are kept separate from AP's count and methodology.