00:20U.S. military bases across the Persian Gulf may have suffered far more damage than previously
00:26disclosed. That's according to multiple U.S. officials and sources familiar with the
00:32situation, who say the scale of destruction has been significantly underreported. Behind the scenes,
00:39the picture appears far more serious. Repairs alone, they say, could cost billions of dollars.
00:46Since the conflict began on February 28th, Iran has launched strikes across multiple countries
00:53in the region, targeting key U.S. military infrastructure. At least seven countries have
00:59been impacted. And the targets weren't random. These strikes hit critical assets, including
01:06storage facilities, operational command centers, aircraft hangars, and satellite communication
01:11systems. Infrastructure essential for both combat and coordination. Runways were damaged. Radar
01:19systems were hit. Even aircraft were affected. Assets vital for surveillance and rapid military
01:26response. In one notable instance, an older Iranian F-5 fighter jet reportedly managed to penetrate
01:34U.S. defenses and carry out a strike, raising serious questions about vulnerabilities in even
01:41advanced air defense systems. Despite the scale of these attacks, the Pentagon has released very
01:48limited information. The U.S. Defense Department has not publicly detailed the full extent of the
01:54damage. And U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region, has declined
02:01to comment. That silence is now drawing criticism. Some Republican lawmakers are expressing frustration
02:09over what they describe as a lack of transparency. One congressional aide summed it up bluntly.
02:15No one knows anything. And it's not for lack of asking. We've been asking for weeks and not getting
02:22specifics. The concern is growing, especially as the Pentagon pushes for more funding. Reports indicate
02:30the Defense Department is seeking over $200 billion from Congress to support ongoing operations tied to the
02:38Iran conflict. And the costs are already mounting. In just the first week of fighting,
02:45the U.S. is estimated to have spent more than $11 billion on military operations. Even before the conflict
02:52escalated, there were calls for a massive increase in defense spending. President Donald Trump had proposed a
02:59$1.5 trillion defense budget, more than a 50 percent jump from the previous year. So far, Congress has approved
03:08$838.5 billion for 2026. But with rising damage, ongoing strikes, and expanding military commitments, pressure is
03:19building for even higher spending. The bottom line, while the full extent of the damage remains unclear
03:26publicly, behind closed doors, officials suggest the impact of Iranian strikes on U.S. bases is far deeper and far
03:35more
03:36costly than initially revealed. And as the conflict continues, both the military and political fallout are
03:43only beginning to unfold.
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