Iranian airstrikes on US military bases across the Middle East have damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment, according to satellite imagery and a Washington Post investigation. The damage, which includes hangars, barracks, fuel depots, aircraft, and critical radar, communications, and air defence systems, is more extensive than previously acknowledged by the US government.

The Iranian claims were corroborated by the Washington Post investigation, which found that Tehran's attacks targeted US bases in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan. The investigation verified the authenticity of 109 satellite images by comparing them with lower-resolution imagery from the European Union's satellite system.

The damage includes nine fuel bladders at Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, a satellite communications site at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and Patriot missile defence systems at bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Experts who reviewed the analysis said the damage suggested that the US military had underestimated Iran's targeting abilities and left some bases under-protected.

The US government had requested that satellite firms limit or withhold the publication of imagery of the region while the war is ongoing, making it difficult for media to assess Iran's counterstrikes. However, Iranian state media has been regularly publishing high-resolution satellite images of the region on social media. The court will resume hearing on the matter, with the US government expected to provide further updates on the damage and its response to the Iranian airstrikes.