Leaked photographs supplied to CBS News by active-duty American service members reveal extensive damage to US military bases in the Middle East caused by Iranian missile and drone strikes. The images show destroyed aircraft, gutted buildings, flattened trailers and burned-out vehicles at facilities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, with one striking photograph depicting a Boeing E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft with its tail severed and radar system badly damaged. Service members released the images because they felt the extent of damage had not been communicated to the American public, one soldier stating: "This is major damage to our bases that hasn't been communicated."

The Pentagon's inspector general has now provided official confirmation of the widespread scale of Iranian attacks. A report to Congress documented strikes against American bases across eight countries—Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan—resulting in equipment losses estimated at $3.7 billion, including nearly 60 aircraft. Operation Epic Fury cost $33.4 billion between February 28 and June 30, with $22.3 billion spent on munitions alone, prompting warnings from the watchdog about strategic inventory shortfalls and industrial bottlenecks for resupply. These disclosures are notable given that the Trump administration has repeatedly emphasised the effectiveness of American operations and defences.