Story perspectives

Iran strikes damage U.S. Gulf bases, costing $3.7B

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Iran Strikes US Bases

Iranian missiles and drones damaged U.S. bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Anonymous service members sent wreckage photos to CBS News despite strict military media rules.
The inspector general estimated $3.7 billion in equipment losses, including nearly 60 aircraft.
A direct hit severed a Boeing E-3 Sentry’s tail at Prince Sultan Air Base.
Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned in early September of faster, heavier U.S. retaliation.

Summary

Cao Condemns Iran

Navy Secretary Hung Cao said Iran “blew the hell out of” Bahrain’s Naval Support Activity.
Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle told sailors the base won’t be reoccupied soon.
More than 1,000 military families were evacuated and still lack a return timeline.
Logistics shifted to Support Facility Diego Garcia, lengthening supply routes for the 5th Fleet.
Delays have slowed provisions to ships such as the USS Abraham Lincoln.

History

Historical Context

In the 1991 Gulf War Iraq fired dozens of Scud missiles at Saudi bases, culminating in the 25 February attack that killed 28 U.S. soldiers and damaged a barracks in Dhahran. The pattern resurfaced in September 2024 when Iran’s missile and drone barrage shattered a Boeing E-3 Sentry at Prince Sultan Air Base, forcing U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao to reroute logistics to Diego Garcia.

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Iran Strikes US Bases

Iranian missiles and drones damaged U.S. bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Anonymous service members sent wreckage photos to CBS News despite strict military media rules.
The inspector general estimated $3.7 billion in equipment losses, including nearly 60 aircraft.
A direct hit severed a Boeing E-3 Sentry’s tail at Prince Sultan Air Base.
Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned in early September of faster, heavier U.S. retaliation.

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