AP Finds Iran Hit U.S. Bases After Targeting Air Defenses

WHO:

ABC News - The Associated Press analyzed damage to U.S. military bases and other sites with U.S. equipment; it used satellite imagery from multiple providers and interviewed four regional officials with firsthand knowledge or briefings about damage.

Military.com - The Associated Press analyzed damage to U.S. military bases and other sites with U.S. equipment; it used satellite imagery from multiple providers and interviewed four regional officials with firsthand knowledge or briefings about damage.

ABC News - President Donald Trump was considering possible new strikes against Iran; Tehran had vowed major retaliation. U.S. Central Command declined to comment on base or equipment damage.

Military.com - President Donald Trump was considering possible new strikes against Iran; Tehran had vowed major retaliation. U.S. Central Command declined to comment on base or equipment damage.

ABC News - Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said U.S. “forces and bases are well protected and America’s military is stronger than ever,” and that CENTCOM service members had what they needed to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

Military.com - Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said U.S. “forces and bases are well protected and America’s military is stronger than ever,” and that CENTCOM service members had what they needed to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

ABC News - Raphael Cohen, director of RAND’s National Security Program, said militaries are “susceptible to large-scale, cheap drone attacks” and called the damage “a wake-up call for the United States.” He said reliance on fixed infrastructure as during the global war on terrorism is over.

Military.com - Raphael Cohen, director of RAND’s National Security Program, said militaries are “susceptible to large-scale, cheap drone attacks” and called the damage “a wake-up call for the United States.” He said reliance on fixed infrastructure as during the global war on terrorism is over.

ABC News - N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, said Iran targeted difficult-to-repair early-warning radars and that the strikes were likely “intended to disrupt and degrade the U.S. and allies’ ability to respond to further strikes.”

Military.com - N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, said Iran targeted difficult-to-repair early-warning radars and that the strikes were likely “intended to disrupt and degrade the U.S. and allies’ ability to respond to further strikes.”

WHAT:

ABC News - AP found that more than 115 drone or missile strikes claimed by Iran or Iranian-backed militias damaged or destroyed structures at 26 military bases and other sites with U.S. equipment. The strikes caused billions of dollars in equipment damage.

Military.com - AP found that more than 115 drone or missile strikes claimed by Iran or Iranian-backed militias damaged or destroyed structures at 26 military bases and other sites with U.S. equipment. The strikes caused billions of dollars in equipment damage.

ABC News - Iran initially struck aircraft hangars and systems that detect incoming attacks, then expanded its targets to warehouses, troop housing, aircraft, communications systems, fuel bunkers and other facilities.

Military.com - Iran initially struck aircraft hangars and systems that detect incoming attacks, then expanded its targets to warehouses, troop housing, aircraft, communications systems, fuel bunkers and other facilities.

ABC News - From April 1 to June 30, Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other structures on U.S. bases.

Military.com - From April 1 to June 30, Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other structures on U.S. bases.

ABC News - Ali Al Salem Air Base was struck at least 30 times; at least 15 aircraft hangars, numerous warehouses and 10 buildings near a residential area were damaged or destroyed.

Military.com - Ali Al Salem Air Base was struck at least 30 times; at least 15 aircraft hangars, numerous warehouses and 10 buildings near a residential area were damaged or destroyed.

ABC News - At Camp Buehring, most hangars became inoperable; the gym was destroyed, a troop store was hit, and a garage and dining room were severely damaged. More than 30 structures were damaged or destroyed.

Military.com - At Camp Buehring, most hangars became inoperable; the gym was destroyed, a troop store was hit, and a garage and dining room were severely damaged. More than 30 structures were damaged or destroyed.

ABC News - Six U.S. soldiers were killed in the deadliest known strike on U.S. troops in the conflict, a drone attack at Port Shuaiba.

Military.com - Six U.S. soldiers were killed in the deadliest known strike on U.S. troops in the conflict, a drone attack at Port Shuaiba.

ABC News - A radar in Jordan was reported destroyed; it was one of 13 held by the Army globally and cost about half a billion dollars each. A radar in Qatar was significantly damaged, with its destruction unconfirmed; it was purchased in a $1.1 billion deal and appeared to be the only one in the region.

Military.com - A radar in Jordan was reported destroyed; it was one of 13 held by the Army globally and cost about half a billion dollars each. A radar in Qatar was significantly damaged, with its destruction unconfirmed; it was purchased in a $1.1 billion deal and appeared to be the only one in the region.

ABC News - Iran made more than 50 successful strikes on 18 locations with U.S. military equipment during the first month of the conflict. A strike at Prince Sultan Air Base damaged the rear half of a Boeing E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft and other aircraft, including two aerial refueling tankers. A Congressional Research Service report said 15 U.S. aircraft had been damaged at regional bases.

Military.com - Iran made more than 50 successful strikes on 18 locations with U.S. military equipment during the first month of the conflict. A strike at Prince Sultan Air Base damaged the rear half of a Boeing E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft and other aircraft, including two aerial refueling tankers. A Congressional Research Service report said 15 U.S. aircraft had been damaged at regional bases.

ABC News - A separate strike hit a CIA unit at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. Al Dhafra Air Base sustained damage to hangars, installations, an early-warning radar system and surveillance drones.

Military.com - A separate strike hit a CIA unit at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. Al Dhafra Air Base sustained damage to hangars, installations, an early-warning radar system and surveillance drones.

NY Post - A Wall Street Journal analysis of a strike at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base said Iran’s improved weapons capabilities and tactics had caused up to $15 billion in damage to U.S. bases. The strike killed three American service members.

ABC News - Two regional officials said the U.S. had moved many assets out of the Persian Gulf, including aircraft, air-defense and communications systems, and other equipment essential to base operations.

Military.com - Two regional officials said the U.S. had moved many assets out of the Persian Gulf, including aircraft, air-defense and communications systems, and other equipment essential to base operations.

WHERE:

ABC News - Most Iranian attacks were in Kuwait; sites in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were also targeted.

Military.com - Most Iranian attacks were in Kuwait; sites in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were also targeted.

ABC News - Strikes hit Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Al Dhafra Air Base is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Abu Dhabi.

Military.com - Strikes hit Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Al Dhafra Air Base is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Abu Dhabi.

NY Post - Muwaffaq Salti Air Base is in Jordan.

WHEN:

ABC News - The analysis covered strikes through August. AP confirmed repeated attacks on Camp Buehring in March, April, May and July; satellite imagery was unavailable until late August.

Military.com - The analysis covered strikes through August. AP confirmed repeated attacks on Camp Buehring in March, April, May and July; satellite imagery was unavailable until late August.

ABC News - Iran destroyed radar enclosures at Camp Arifjan and Naval Support Activity Bahrain within the first two days of the war’s start in late February.

Military.com - Iran destroyed radar enclosures at Camp Arifjan and Naval Support Activity Bahrain within the first two days of the war’s start in late February.

NY Post - The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base strike occurred on July 17.

ABC News - The article says hostilities could resume and that the conflict’s endgame had not been articulated.

Military.com - The article says hostilities could resume and that the conflict’s endgame had not been articulated.

WHY:

ABC News - AP’s findings indicate Iran first targeted early-warning and air-defense systems to weaken the ability of the United States and its allies to detect and respond to further attacks.

Military.com - AP’s findings indicate Iran first targeted early-warning and air-defense systems to weaken the ability of the United States and its allies to detect and respond to further attacks.

ABC News - Regional officials said the damage and possible return to hostilities raise questions about U.S. defenses and whether the United States will rebuild bases and equipment after the war.

Military.com - Regional officials said the damage and possible return to hostilities raise questions about U.S. defenses and whether the United States will rebuild bases and equipment after the war.

HOW:

ABC News - AP verified damage using satellite imagery from multiple providers and interviews with four regional officials. Some imagery providers with U.S. contracts blocked or delayed public releases at U.S. officials’ requests, citing national security; AP later used imagery from Airbus-owned OneAtlas.

Military.com - AP verified damage using satellite imagery from multiple providers and interviews with four regional officials. Some imagery providers with U.S. contracts blocked or delayed public releases at U.S. officials’ requests, citing national security; AP later used imagery from Airbus-owned OneAtlas.

ABC News - Four regional military officials spoke anonymously to AP about sensitive damage details.

Military.com - Four regional military officials spoke anonymously to AP about sensitive damage details.

NY Post - The report’s account of the July 17 attack was based on an analysis by The Wall Street Journal.

(UPDATED November 1, 2026 22:59 UTC)

Iranian strikes damaged structures at 26 U.S.-equipped sites, causing billions in losses. Attacks hit aircraft, communications, and early-warning systems across the region. President Trump weighed further strikes as Tehran threatened major retaliation.