The New York Times visual investigation found Iranian strikes damaged nine U.S.-linked sites across the Middle East, including hangars, living quarters, drone shelters and radar systems. Imagery from Iranian sources was corroborated with ground video and blurred NASA/ESA images despite U.S. requests to blur commercial satellite data. An attack on Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base killed four U.S. soldiers, and nearly a dozen wounded service members were evacuated to a U.S. military hospital in Germany. The Department of Defense declined detailed comment citing operational security.
Image Investigation: Iranian Strikes Damaged Nine U.S.-Linked Sites Across the Middle East
A satellite view shows the Ali Al Salem Base, after Iranian strikes, near Al Jahra, Kuwait, March 1, 2026. (photo credit: Planet Labs PBC/REUTERS)
A visual probe by The New York Times found that recent Iranian strikes across the Middle East damaged living quarters, work areas, drone shelters, radar systems and other facilities at multiple U.S.-linked sites.
Investigative Findings
The investigation identified damage at nine U.S.-linked locations over the past two weeks, including a destroyed hangar at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and hits at Kuwait’s Ahmad al-Jaber and Ali Al Salem air bases, as well as a destroyed U.S. tent at Erbil International Airport in Iraq.
Although commercial satellite operators have been asked by U.S. officials to blur imagery to protect personnel, The New York Times examined imagery released by Iranian outlets and corroborated those images with ground video and intentionally blurred satellite imagery from NASA and the European Space Agency.
US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth salute as members of a US Army carry team move the flag-draped transfer case holding the remains of Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, of Carrollton, Texas, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base July 22, 2026. (credit: KEVIN DIETSCH/GETTY IMAGES)
Casualties and Medical Evacuations
The published analysis follows an attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base that killed four U.S. service members. A U.S. military official told The New York Times that nearly a dozen service members wounded in July attacks across the region were evacuated to a U.S. military hospital in Germany for treatment.
Responses and Operational Security
The Department of Defense declined to comment on satellite imagery, saying, "For operational security reasons, the department declines to comment on satellite imagery." A DoD spokesperson also said the investigation into the Jordan incident remains active and that there is nothing further to announce at this time.
Photo caption: A dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on July 22, 2026. (Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The visual evidence presented in the investigation suggests a degree of precision in the strikes despite earlier U.S. strikes against Iranian targets. The investigation documented multiple damaged structures on the Jordanian base and identified apparent damage to radar equipment at Ahmad al-Jaber in Kuwait.
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