Iran and its allies have damaged at least 16 US military installations in eight Middle Eastern countries, rendering some of them nearly inoperable, according to a CNN investigation.
The research was based on dozens of satellite images and interviews with sources in the United States and in Arab Gulf countries. According to a congressional aide with knowledge of the damage estimates, the affected facilities make up the majority of US military posts in the region.
“There’s a range of estimates,” the CNN source said. “From the most dramatic version, where a facility is completely destroyed and has to be shut down, to those who think it’s worth repairing (certain infrastructure) because of their strategic importance to the US.”
Satellite images showed that Tehran’s main targets included advanced radar, communications and aircraft systems, many of which are extremely expensive and difficult to replace.
“Notably, they identified these facilities as the most ‘effective’ targets to strike”a congressional aide said. “Our radar systems are among the most expensive and limited assets we have in the region.”
On Wednesday, his auditor PentagonJules «Jay Hearst IIItold US lawmakers that the war with Iran has so far cost the US $25 billion. However, a source with knowledge of the matter later told CNN that the actual cost is estimated to be closer to 40 to 50 billion dollars.
US allies in the Gulf, which host US military installations, have taken the brunt of the Iranian attacks and have reportedly criticized Washington behind closed doors for launching the war without consulting them.
“The war showed us that the alliance with the US cannot be exclusive and is not invulnerable”a Saudi source told CNN.
