More Than 100 U.S. Facilities Damaged by Iranian Attacks in the Middle East, Weapons Stockpiles Dwindle

❐ International Desk

Iran’s attacks have caused widespread damage to US military bases in the Middle East. A new report by the Pentagon’s inspector general says hundreds of buildings and facilities were damaged or destroyed at US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan in the first few months of the war. The same report also acknowledged the depletion of vital US ammunition stocks.

According to the report, US diplomatic facilities were also damaged in the attack. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters and a key supply base in Bahrain were particularly damaged, forcing a change in the logistics of US military operations in the Middle East. A large part of the supply operations were moved to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. This also caused problems with postal and other supply systems for US naval forces deployed at sea for long periods.

However, the report published by the Pentagon does not appear to be a complete picture. The report does not provide a complete estimate of the damage due to several hidden details. It is known that some destroyed aircraft were not included in the report. In addition, no estimate was given for the potential cost of rebuilding the military bases.

The report also raises questions about the future of US military operations in the Middle East. In particular, the move away from a key naval base in Bahrain signals a shift in the structure of US military presence. At the same time, new decisions may be needed on whether to rebuild the vast US military infrastructure in the Middle East.

The financial costs of the war have also reached significant levels, the report said. While the Pentagon estimates the cost of the conflict at around $35 billion, the analysis suggests that the daily cost could reach around $500 million when adding in the destruction of military infrastructure, support activities and other ancillary costs.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is also raising international concern. The report notes that the strait has not yet reopened to normal operations. At the same time, the Houthis’ advance on Yemen’s west coast and their increasing control around the Bab al-Mandab Strait have put pressure on two of the Middle East’s most important waterways.

Oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz has also been severely curtailed. The report says that the daily capacity of the Strait of Hormuz, which was around 20 million barrels per day before the war, has been reduced to an estimated 5 to 7 million barrels per day. This is likely to put significant pressure on the international energy market.

Meanwhile, there have been conflicting claims surrounding the attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has claimed the ship was hit by a mine, while US military authorities have claimed the ship was damaged by an Iranian missile and later hit by a drone strike.

Shipping data also highlights the dire situation in the strait. The report says that while more than 100 ships used to pass through the strait every day before the war, only four ships passed through on a recent day and 10 the day before. However, the actual number may be higher as some ships have turned off their position-finding systems.

Meanwhile, the Houthis are also gaining control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. They have seized control of several port cities and key areas on Yemen’s west coast, and have reportedly launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi military and energy infrastructure. Possible targets include air bases, radar systems, runways, ammunition depots, and oil facilities.

As a result, international trade and energy supplies are increasingly strained around the two vital waterways of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, while new strategic decisions are needed regarding the US military presence in the Middle East, the restructuring of bases, the stockpiling of ammunition, and the rising costs of conflict.