US Newspaper Reveals US Losses in its War on Iran
The American newspaper “The Cradle” published a lengthy report revealing the losses suffered by the United States in its aggression against Iran. The war is revealing escalating military and economic costs for the US, with missile defenses being depleted and some bases and radars in the Gulf being damaged, alongside pressure on global markets and rising oil prices, foreshadowing a costly war of attrition for Washington.
US Newspaper Reveals US Losses in its War on Iran
The newspaper stated in its report that the US-Israeli war on Iran has led to an unprecedented escalation in the West Asia region, where US military bases scattered throughout the Gulf have become direct targets for missile and drone attacks. While initial coverage of the war focused on the military developments on the ground, the true cost of the confrontation, both military and economic, has gradually begun to emerge.
In addition to the exchange of strikes, there are indications of a costly depletion of US missile defense systems and the widespread use of expensive strategic munitions, along with rapid repercussions on the global economy and financial markets. So how were the most significant military and economic losses and costs incurred by the United States during the early days of the war distributed?
The newspaper emphasized that one of the most prominent aspects of the American military loss was the significant depletion of strategic air defense systems, most notably the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system. The cost of an interceptor missile in the THAAD system ranges between $12 and $15 million per missile, according to estimates from US missile defense programs. Military reports indicate that using this type of missile to intercept missile attacks could lead to the expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars in just a few days of fighting. Furthermore, a complete THAAD battery is considered one of the most expensive missile defense systems in the world, with the cost of a single battery reaching $1.5–$2 billion, according to estimates by missile defense experts.
In addition to operational costs, the American radar network in West Asia, specifically in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, suffered attacks or damage that affected the early warning system upon which the United States and its allies in the region rely. Among the most prominent systems targeted was the AN/TPY-2 radar. This radar is a key component of the THAAD system and is used to detect ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere and distinguish real warheads from decoys. However, the estimated cost of the radar is approximately $300 million, and its detection range reaches 3,000 kilometers.
Targeted US Bases
The American newspaper stated that the attacks on US bases in the Gulf demonstrate that Washington’s extensive military presence in the region no longer provides the same immunity it enjoyed in previous wars. Among the most prominent sites targeted during the confrontation were: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses the AN/FPS-132 early warning radar used to detect long-range ballistic missiles. The cost of this system is estimated at around $1 billion. Military sites in the UAE were also targeted, housing THAAD missile defense batteries, with each battery costing approximately $1.5–$2 billion. In Bahrain, satellite communications facilities manage military communications with the US Fifth Fleet, at an estimated cost of between $20 million and $100 million. In Kuwait, several major US military bases are located, most notably Ali Al Salem Air Base, Camp Arifjan (a major logistics hub with infrastructure costs exceeding $1 billion), and Camp Buehring (estimated cost between $700 million and $1 billion). These bases form the backbone of the US military presence in the Gulf, and targeting them carries strategic significance that extends beyond direct material damage.
Estimates and reports in Western media indicate that the United States suffered direct and indirect military losses during the initial days of the confrontation with Iran. These losses included strategic equipment, military bases, and missile defense systems in several West Asian countries (the Gulf and Jordan). The value of the damaged US military equipment is estimated at billions of dollars as a result of missile and drone strikes targeting US bases and radar installations in the Gulf and the wider region. Among the most notable strikes that garnered widespread attention was the destruction of the AN/TPY-2 radar, linked to the THAAD missile defense system, at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. This strategic radar, valued at approximately $300 million, was a crucial component of the US early warning network for intercepting ballistic missiles.
In the air operations arena, the US Air Force lost three F-15 fighter jets over Kuwait in a friendly fire incident amidst intense operations in the region. Additionally, casualties were reported among US forces after an attack on a US base in Kuwait during the early days of the war. The US military’s depletion was not limited to air defenses; it also included the use of expensive strategic munitions during offensive operations. The Tomahawk cruise missile, used by the US Navy for long-range strikes, costs approximately $2 million per missile.
In addition, some stealth aircraft are among the most expensive in the world to operate. For example, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber costs approximately $135,000 per flight hour due to its advanced technology, stealth systems, and complex maintenance requirements. According to US military aircraft operating cost data, the approximate operating cost per flight hour is as follows:
F-22: Approximately $68,362 per flight hour
F-35A: Approximately $42,169