Missile Shortages and Damaged Bases: Pentagon Inspector Publishes First Official Report on the War Against Iran

The U.S. Department of Defense inspector general published on Monday a special report on the war against Iran, the first formal accounting of U.S. equipment and facility losses in this conflict.

According to the report, which is based on communications with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and covers the period from the start of the war on Feb. 28 through June 30, Iranian strikes “damaged and destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.” The report also acknowledges the depletion of key U.S. munition stockpiles.

Iranian strikes forced significant changes in how U.S. troops operate in the region. CENTCOM “relocated personnel, assets and storage facilities” while under attack from Iran and its proxy forces. Among the measures taken was the withdrawal of Army medical-evacuation helicopters from Iraq and Kuwait, meaning “most medical evacuations have been conducted by ground route.”

The destruction of the regional Navy center in Bahrain, which interim Navy Secretary Hung Cao recently said Iran had “completely destroyed,” brought “major challenges” in standing up “adequate naval bases and support ports.” This made the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia a naval logistics hub, stretching resupply cycles to 14 to 18 days.

The report, produced in cooperation with the inspectors general offices of the Department of State and USAID, also covered diplomatic activities. Damage to U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Middle East caused about $184 million in damage. In early March, the U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two Iranian drones, causing major damage, including to the CIA station; one drone hit the consulate in Dubai; the embassy in Kuwait suspended operations entirely after being struck. Over 600 strikes were recorded against U.S. facilities in Iraq, with the most costly damage — about $157 million.

Source: CNN