Images of Destruction at US Bases Reveal Costs of War in Iran

Photos released by CBS and verified by the BBC show severe damage to American military bases in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, a consequence of attacks launched by Iran since the conflict began on February 28.

Images of Destroyed American Bases

The images show a Boeing E-3 Sentry radar plane torn apart at Prince Sultan Air Base, crumpled trailers at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, and a four-story building hit at Camp Arifjan. They were provided by servicemen and are undated, but correspond to damage confirmed by a report from the Pentagon's oversight body.

Scale of Material Damage

The Pentagon report indicates that Iranian attacks destroyed or damaged hundreds of buildings and structures at United States bases across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. The total cost of lost equipment, including planes, drones, and air defense systems, amounts to US$1.9 billion, while equipment losses reach US$3.7 billion.

Total Cost of the War for the US

A new estimate presented to Congress on September 3 raises the cost of the war against Iran to US$43.6 billion. The US Central Command indicated that, as of August 1, the war had already cost US$38 billion and that monthly expenditures could reach US$3 billion, depending on the intensity of the fighting.

Impact on Finances and Military Budget

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) highlights that munitions account for more than half of the costs, with an increase of US$6 billion in just over a month. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requested a US$95 billion package from Congress to fund the war and other priorities, within a total military budget of US$1.5 trillion.

Strategic Repercussions

Experts point out that the destruction of equipment like the E-3, which is no longer produced, compromises American military readiness. The diversion of resources to the Middle East has left partners in Asia more vulnerable to potential Chinese actions, while the scarcity of missile interceptors affects European allies and Saudi Arabia.

With information from G1, Estadão.