At least 25 Iranian attacks have targeted US sites in Middle East, analysis finds |
At least 25 Iranian attacks have targeted US sites or locations housing American military personnel in the Middle East since the start of the war, according to an AFP analysis.
The US and Israel launched a bombing campaign on Iran on February 28 in a bid to topple its clerical regime and destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel and the region.
Of Iran’s attacks, recorded between February 28 and March 11 at 5 p.m. in Israel, four targeted US embassies or consulates in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.
The other 21 Iranian missiles or drone attacks targeted 13 different military sites housing American personnel.
These included the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia and Erbil airport in Iraq, which houses a US base. Both were attacked at least four times.
The Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates were each targeted at least twice.
The count does not include seven attacks observed or claimed by Iran against radars or US THAAD missile defense systems operated either by the US or Gulf states.
AFP was able to confirm damage after 12 strikes targeted US-linked military sites by analyzing satellite images, the most recent dating from March 5, before US providers of high-resolution imagery imposed restrictions on availability in order to protect allies.
Iran's response in the Middle East. AFP Infographic with satellite images showing damage at a selection of four US military sites, or sites hosting US personnel, in the Middle East in the context of Iranian strikes since February 28, 2026. Images are from Planet Labs PBC pic.twitter.com/Iw8mFUz2JI — AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 7, 2026
Iran's response in the Middle East.
AFP Infographic with satellite images showing damage at a selection of four US military sites, or sites hosting US personnel, in the Middle East in the context of Iranian strikes since February 28, 2026. Images are from Planet Labs PBC pic.twitter.com/Iw8mFUz2JI
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 7, 2026
Citing commercial satellite imagery, verified social media footage, US officials and Iranian state media, the New York Times reported Wednesday that 17 US sites have been damaged by Iran’s attacks, including military bases, communication and air defense infrastructure and diplomatic sites.
US military officials cited by the Times said the intensity of Iran’s attacks showed Tehran was more prepared for war than Washington expected.
Among the US sites was in Kuwait’s Shuaiba port, where a drone hit a structure housing US service members on March 1, killing six, with satellite imagery showing the building’s roof partially collapsed, the report said.
The Pentagon announced Sunday that a seventh US service member was killed in another Iranian strike on a US base in Saudi Arabia.
It was difficult to gauge the financial cost of the damage caused by Iran’s attacks, the Times said. However, a strike on the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain caused some $200 million worth of damage, while a strike on a US site in Jordan severely damaged equipment possibly worth some $500 million, according to the report, citing a US congressional official as well as military budget and contractor documents.
Analysts cited by the New York Times said some of the radars affected by Iran’s attacks would be difficult to replace, but that US intelligence likely wouldn’t suffer because there was “such redundancy” in the information gathered by US sensor networks.
Meanwhile, nearly 30 attacks have targeted energy infrastructure in the Middle East between the start of the conflict and March 11, more than half of which were carried out by Tehran.
AFP counted 16 Iranian strikes targeting oil and gas fields or complexes in seven different Gulf states.
Among the targets was the United Arab Emirates industrial zone that includes the Ruwais refinery, one of the largest in the world, which was closed on Tuesday as a precaution.
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