Iran Strikes Wreak $33.4bn Damage on US Bases in Middle East

Images showing widespread damage to multiple US sites in the Middle East from Iranian strikes have been obtained by the BBC's US partner CBS. They revealed that a devastating impact on US military bases and equipment losses totaling $3.7bn.

The photos, provided by active military personnel, show a severed radar jet, flattened trailers and severely damaged buildings at Camp Buehring in Kuwait and Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia. The undated photos were taken at US bases and sites in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

"This is major damage to our bases that hasn't been communicated to the American public." said one military personnel who was not named by CBS, describing the situation as "getting punched in the face."

The White House referred the BBC to US Central Command, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A report from the Pentagon's watchdog confirmed hundreds of buildings and structures at US bases in Kuwait. Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan have been damaged and destroyed by Iran. Equipment losses total $3.7bn.

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The estimated cost of equipment lost in battle - including planes. Drones and a terminal high altitude area defence system - amounts to $1.9b.

Brian Katulis, a former national security official under both Democratic and Republican administrations, said that the damage visible in the images showed that "America had not adequately prepared its defences".

"And there is strong evidence that US adversaries like China and Russia may have helped Iran in targeting," added Katulis. "The Trump administration has done nothing to address these vulnerabilities."

The depletion of US munitions makes Russia more willing to probe vulnerabilities with America's NATO allies and continue its aggressive war against Ukraine, according to Brian Katulis.

"these costs show how the Trump administration burned through precious military resources without having much to show for it" said Katulis. "The United States had to divert military assets from Asia to the Middle East, leaving America and its partners in Asia more exposed and vulnerable to China,".

The US House of Representatives voted for the third time to end the war in Iran. Approving a measure that would force President Donald Trump to end US military action without congressional approval.

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The vote passed with the help of several Republicans. In what could be the final House vote on the matter ahead of the US midterm elections in November.

Outgoing Republican Congressman Thomas Massie confirmed an attempt to impeach Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as new details emerged about the Iran war's price tag for the US.

The Trump administration backed Hegseth, with US attorney general Todd Blanche telling reporters he was "doing a phenomenal job".

The conflict began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran. Since then, Iran has repeatedly attacked US bases and allied states in the Gulf, as well as Israel.

The images were published on the heels of a report from the Pentagon's watchdog, which found Iranian strikes had "damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan during the conflict".

The Boeing E-3 Awacs are used to detect and track potential targets at long ranges to provide an early warning of possible threats. The aircraft is no longer in production and would have to be replaced with a more modern equivalent, the E-7.