00:15What if 20 U.S. military bases across the Middle East were struck in a single war?
00:22A new BBC Verify investigation has revealed major new details about Iran's retaliation campaign during the ongoing 2026 conflict with
00:34the United States and its allies.
00:36According to the report, Iranian missile and drone strikes have damaged at least 20 U.S.-linked military facilities across eight
00:47countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman.
00:56The strikes came after a major escalation in late February 2026 when U.S. and Israeli operations targeted Iranian infrastructure,
01:08triggering a wider regional conflict.
01:11Iran responded with coordinated attacks on American bases and coalition facilities spread across the Middle East.
01:19Using satellite imagery, video evidence, and open-source intelligence, BBC Verify reports that key military assets were hit in multiple
01:31locations.
01:32These include advanced air defense systems, radar installations, aircraft refueling assets, hangars, fuel storage sites, and communications infrastructure.
01:44Some of the most significant impacts were linked to THAAD defense systems and major coalition bases such as Al-Udeed
01:54in Qatar, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Ali al-Salem in Kuwait, and additional sites in the UAE
02:04and Bahrain.
02:05Earlier assessments suggested hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in the initial phase alone, while broader analysis now indicates
02:15total losses and disruption could reach into the billions when including repairs and operational setbacks.
02:23The report also highlights a gap between official statements and independent assessments, with some governments acknowledging limited damage, while satellite
02:34analysis suggests a wider impact.
02:37Iran has described its strikes as successful retaliation, claiming it has exposed vulnerabilities in Western military infrastructure across the region.
02:48The attacks reportedly forced temporary operational changes, including relocation of personnel, and adjustments in how coalition forces managed regional deployments
03:01during heightened threat levels.
03:03Despite this, U.S. defense officials maintain that all key bases remain operational and that defensive systems continue to function,
03:14with ongoing upgrades underway.
03:16The situation remains highly volatile, with continued tensions, ceasefire fragility, and periodic exchanges of fire across the region.
03:27The BBC Verify investigation highlights how the 2026 conflict has evolved into a wider regional confrontation involving multiple U.S.
03:39allied military hubs.
03:41As independent analysis continues, the full scale of damage and long-term impact is still being assessed.
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