The Pentagon’s first inspector general report on the war with Iran reveals significant damage to U.S. military bases, aircraft and diplomatic facilities across the Middle East, while putting the cost of the operation at $33.4 billion as of June 29.
The report, covering the period from April 1 through June 30, provides the most detailed official assessment so far of the human losses, material damage and financial cost of Operation Epic Fury. It also highlights shortages of advanced weapons and challenges facing the U.S. defense industry in replenishing ammunition stocks.
According to the findings, Iranian attacks damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other facilities at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.
One of the key sites affected was the U.S. naval base in Bahrain, an important logistics hub in the region. Following the attacks, U.S. Central Command shifted some supply operations to more distant locations, including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao recently said the Bahrain facility had suffered severe damage, adding that a special task force was examining whether the base should be rebuilt so the U.S. Navy can maintain its ability to operate in the region.
Diplomatic facilities also damaged
The report estimates that U.S. diplomatic facilities in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iraq suffered approximately $184 million in damage.
The State Department also reported an additional $113 million in war-related expenses, including roughly $80 million for emergency planning and the evacuation of U.S. personnel, their families, eligible American citizens and certain foreign nationals.
Following the initial attacks on Iran on February 28, the Trump administration evacuated around 9,000 U.S. citizens from locations across the Middle East and Europe.
Aircraft and personnel losses
Dozens of U.S. aircraft and drones were also damaged during the conflict. Among them were as many as 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, each valued at approximately $30 million, along with seven KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft that were damaged or destroyed.
Another KC-135 crashed in Iraq after colliding with another aircraft of the same type, killing six U.S. service members. The report also states that 11 additional American personnel were killed in combat operations in Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress in late July that the overall cost of the war had since risen to $37.5 billion.
Despite the report’s warnings about weapons stockpiles, the Pentagon had previously rejected claims that the U.S. was facing ammunition shortages. President Donald Trump has also maintained that the United States is producing more advanced weapons than at any other point in its history.
