AP finds Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed structures at 26 U.S. military sites across the Middle East

Iranian and Iran-backed missile and drone attacks damaged or destroyed structures at 26 U.S. military bases and other sites across the Middle East through August, according to an Associated Press investigation based on satellite imagery and interviews with regional officials.

AP said it independently verified damage to American targets using imagery from multiple satellite providers and interviews with four regional officials who were briefed on the strikes or had direct knowledge of the damage.

The investigation identified more than 115 drone or missile attacks claimed by Iran or Iran-backed groups that damaged or destroyed structures at those 26 locations.

AP found that Iran initially concentrated on aircraft hangars, early-warning radars and systems used to detect incoming attacks, before broadening its strikes to warehouses, troop housing, communications equipment, fuel infrastructure and aircraft.

The damage included hundreds of buildings and other structures during the April-to-June period, according to the investigation.

At Kuwait’s Camp Buehring, one of the hardest-hit facilities, AP found that more than 30 structures were damaged or destroyed between March and August. At Ali Al Salem Air Base, at least 15 hangars were damaged.

The strikes also damaged high-value military equipment, including refueling aircraft, an E-3 surveillance plane and radar systems, contributing to equipment losses worth billions of dollars.

Two regional officials told AP that the damage prompted the United States to move many military assets out of the Persian Gulf, including aircraft, air-defense systems and communications equipment.

The Pentagon told AP that U.S. forces and bases remain well protected. U.S. Central Command declined to provide a detailed accounting of the damage.

AP did not conclude that Iranian attacks had “crippled” U.S. military infrastructure across the region. Its findings instead show extensive physical damage and a significant reshaping of the U.S. military footprint.