New photos reveal Iranian missile, drone strikes inflicted extensive damage to US targets across West Asia

WASHINGTON: Newly released photographs obtained by CBS News show extensive damage to buildings, vehicles and military equipment at several US positions in the Middle East following Iranian missile and drone strikes.

The photographs were provided to CBS by serving US military personnel who spoke anonymously because of restrictions on communicating with the media.

One image from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia appears to show significant damage to a Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft, including the destruction of its rear section and tail. The E-3 is used for airborne surveillance, command and control.

Other photographs from the Saudi base show damaged buildings and barracks, while additional images from Camp Buehring in Kuwait show destroyed trailers, damaged structures and vehicles.

US Servicemember Questions Public Account

One US servicemember told CBS News that the extent of damage at American facilities had not been adequately communicated to the public.

The servicemember disputed descriptions of Iranian weapons as isolated projectiles that occasionally penetrated US defences and said American bases had suffered substantial damage.

These comments represent the assessment of an unnamed servicemember and are not an independent official assessment of the overall effectiveness of US air defences.

Pentagon Watchdog Reports Billions in Losses

The photographs emerged shortly after the Department of War Inspector General released a report on Operation Epic Fury covering the period through June 30, 2026.

The report disclosed equipment losses valued at up to $3.7 billion, including nearly 60 aircraft, and documented Iranian strikes against US positions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.

Separate CBS reporting has also documented damage to US aircraft at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, including an A-10 that lost a wing and several F-15s that sustained lighter damage.

Diplomatic Facilities Also Damaged

The broader assessment has also highlighted damage to US diplomatic facilities across the region.

According to the figures cited in the supplied report, Iranian attacks caused approximately $184 million in damage to US diplomatic facilities.

More than 600 attacks against US facilities in Iraq were also reported by a senior State Department official, with approximately $157 million in associated damage.

Impact on US Military Readiness

The reported losses come as the United States continues to assess the military and logistical consequences of the conflict with Iran.

Earlier reporting has pointed to pressure on US ammunition inventories and the need to replenish weapons and other military equipment following sustained operations.

The newly released photographs provide additional visual evidence of damage at some US positions, although the images alone do not establish the total scale of losses across the region.

The Pentagon has not publicly disputed the authenticity of the photographs, but the US government has not independently confirmed every detail contained in the images or the accounts provided by the anonymous servicemembers.

The developments underscore the extent of military infrastructure and equipment exposed to Iranian attacks during the conflict and the continuing debate in Washington over US force protection, air-defence effectiveness and the resources required to sustain prolonged operations.