Report: Iran war causes major damage to U.S. military assets

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 17, 2026

A Pentagon inspector general report details extensive damage to U.S. military facilities and equipment caused by Iranian attacks across eight Middle Eastern countries since February, including severe hits to the Navy’s Bahrain logistics hub. The report highlights significant strains on military readiness, costing billions and prompting efforts to speed up weapon production amid concerns over resource depletion and operational challenges.

A recent Pentagon inspector general report reveals significant damage to U.S. military assets resulting from Iranian attacks during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The report, released on September 14, covers the period from the outbreak of hostilities on February 28 through June 30 and provides the most detailed official assessment of the war’s impact to date.

According to the report, Iranian strikes have damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures across U.S. bases in eight countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. Notably, the U.S. Navy’s primary logistics hub in Bahrain suffered extensive damage from drone and ballistic missile attacks. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao earlier confirmed the severity of the damage to the Bahrain base, describing it as having been “blown the hell out of” by Iranian strikes, corroborating satellite imagery and previous reports.

The conflict, initially projected by President Donald Trump to last four to five weeks, has extended into its seventh month. The report estimates the U.S. military’s direct costs at $33.4 billion as of June 29, though this figure does not include facility repair expenses, which experts believe will drive the overall cost substantially higher. More than 50,000 U.S. service members have been deployed within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the conflict. Since February, at least 18 American service members have died and over 800 have sustained injuries.

The report also highlights operational challenges arising from the war, including shortages of strategic munitions and supply chain bottlenecks within the defense industry. In response, the Pentagon is working to accelerate procurement processes, reduce production lead times, and increase stockpiles of critical materials and selected weapons to enable rapid responses to future contingencies. Despite these findings, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have publicly denied any significant depletion of munitions stocks. On September 14, Trump asserted via social media that the United States is manufacturing more advanced weapons than ever before, emphasizing production of Patriot missiles, THAAD systems, Tomahawks, and other standard missile systems.

The diversion of military resources to the Middle East has also affected broader U.S. strategic posture. The report states that at least six U.S. warships were reassigned from the Pacific theater to the Middle East amid the conflict. Additionally, it documents losses and damage to dozens of aircraft, including four F-15E fighters, an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, an A-10 Warthog, seven KC-135 refuelers, and 30 MQ-9 drones destroyed under various circumstances.

The report underscores the operational and logistical strains placed on U.S. forces by the protracted conflict and raises questions about the broader implications for U.S. military readiness in other global theaters. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report’s findings.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.