Iran's retaliatory attacks have inflicted extensive damage on U.S. military infrastructure, including aircraft hangars, fuel depots, residential areas, radar systems, communication systems, and air defense systems. Satellite images show that two radomes were destroyed at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Iranian drone strikes destroyed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system at Al Muwaffaq Air Base in Jordan. Iran also destroyed a U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base. Iran's war strategy targets U.S. command and control systems, like radar and air defense, rather than fighter jets.
Attacks have extended to U.S. diplomatic and civilian infrastructure. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad was hit by a suspected Iranian missile, causing damage but no confirmed casualties. A U.S. diplomatic building in Baghdad caught fire after being hit by three attacks, claimed by an Iran-backed group. Attacks in Bahrain have targeted high-rise residential buildings, hotels, a water desalination plant, and the U.S. base, causing damage to the surrounding neighborhood. A U.S. base in Bahrain was hit by Iranian missiles, damaging the 5th Fleet headquarters. Iran struck the headquarters of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, as well as multiple warehouses and satellite dishes on base.
The geographic scope of the Iranian strikes is broad, targeting several Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. Iran has struck at least three air bases more than once: Ali Al-Salim base in Kuwait, Al-Udeid in Qatar, and Prince Sultan in Saudi Arabia. Iran retaliated against a massive U.S.-Israeli attack by striking several Gulf states where the U.S. military has bases, with explosions reported in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. Iran’s Fars news agency said the country was targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain. Videos showed a massive explosion and a mushroom cloud rising in Bahrain's Juffair district, home to the Fifth Fleet. AFP and Al Jazeera reported that the Saudi capital Riyadh was also hit. A Reuters correspondent reported hearing a loud explosion over Dubai Marina, and Reuters confirmed an explosion in Abu Dhabi.
The financial impact of the strikes is substantial. Iranian strikes on military bases used by the U.S. in the Middle East caused about $800 million in damage in the first two weeks of the war. A significant portion of damage was caused by a strike on a U.S. radar for a THAAD missile defense system at an air base in Jordan, with the AN/TPY-2 radar system costing approximately $485 million. Strikes by Iran caused an additional $310 million in estimated damage to buildings, facilities, and other infrastructure on U.S. bases and military bases used by American forces in the region.
U.S. and allied casualties have been reported from the Iranian attacks. On March 1, six American soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone attack on a tactical command center in Shuaiba port in Kuwait. At least 10 U.S. troops were wounded in the attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, with two seriously hurt. Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base, injuring at least 15 troops. Over 300 U.S. service members have been wounded in the war, with 30 out of action and 10 seriously wounded. A total of 13 U.S. service members have been killed so far in the operation. Approximately 140 U.S. service members had been wounded, eight seriously, with the majority returning to duty.
Civilian casualties have also occurred. A 29-year-old Bahraini woman died and eight people were injured due to Iranian attacks on a residential building in Manama. Another man, described as an Asian worker, was killed on March 2 due to falling debris from an intercepted missile. Iranian drones struck the Kuwait International Airport and a residential building early Thursday, wounding two people. The overall death toll has reached nearly 3,200, including 1,400 civilians.
U.S. military operations in the broader conflict have also resulted in losses. An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members aboard. Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle, with one service member rescued and at least one missing. A U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after being struck by Iranian defense forces. The U.S. military has struck over 7,000 targets in Operation Epic Fury, with over 1,300 killed in Iran. U.S. forces have struck approximately 6,000 targets throughout Iran and crippled the country’s leadership.
Regional air defense systems have been actively engaged. UAE state media said its air defences had intercepted several Iranian missiles, but one person was killed in Abu Dhabi. An Arab diplomat confirmed to MEE that Qatar's air defences had been activated to shoot down Iranian missiles. Bahrain air defences have intercepted and destroyed 115 ballistic missiles and 191 drones since the start of the war. Dozens of drones and missiles have targeted military and civilian infrastructure in Bahrain, which typically hosts some 8,300 sailors and their families.
This escalation marks a shift from previous conflicts. Iran's rapid retaliation indicates the conflict is not confined like the 12-day war in June 2025, which culminated in the U.S. bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. After the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities in June, Tehran carefully telegraphed its strike against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, but this time missiles landed with little warning. Iran has repeatedly warned that if attacked by the U.S., it will retaliate by launching strikes against Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases.
Diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation were unsuccessful. Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, made a failed attempt to prevent the U.S. from launching an attack on Iran. Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi made a last-ditch effort in Washington, meeting U.S. Vice President JD Vance and appearing on CBS News.
U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian assets. Israel struck Iran's nuclear sites, specifically the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province. Israel and Iran attacked each other, with Israel targeting Tehran and Iran firing missiles at Israel. The U.S. attacked Iran's Kharg Island, targeting military installations but sparing oil infrastructure.
The conflict has humanitarian and economic implications. Iran threatened to attack Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE over disputes on islands in the Persian Gulf. Iran has agreed to permit humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz handles a fifth of the world's oil shipments and nearly a third of its fertilizer trade.
The U.S. has implemented various military and diplomatic responses. The U.S. Department of War asked Planet Labs to withhold satellite images of the conflict region. The U.S. State Department ordered diplomatic posts worldwide to review security due to Middle East tensions. Militia groups carried out at least 292 attacks on U.S. facilities since February 28. Military dependents in Bahrain have been ordered to depart. The Bahrain International Airport remained closed as of Friday, and the U.S. Embassy was encouraging Americans to take overland routes to Saudi Arabia for commercial flights.
U.S. naval presence in the region is significant. The USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups are in the region, representing a large buildup of U.S. naval power. Russia has reportedly shared intelligence with Tehran on American military forces in the region.
Several uncertainties remain. Besides Bahrain, there were no immediate confirmations of U.S. military bases hit. It is unclear how many, if any, U.S. troops were on base during the attacks in Bahrain, and U.S. Central Command has not reported any deaths or injuries out of Bahrain. Missile debris crashed in Qatar after Iranian attacks, causing explosions and panic. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed at a press conference that the building was fortified. According to William Goodhind, the fortification was not sufficient, as the building was reinforced with T-barriers for ground-level protection but had limited overhead protection, posing a significant risk from aerial attacks.