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Pentagon watchdog says Iran war has led to munitions shortfall
The report says Iranian strikes damaged hundreds of buildings and destroyed or damaged dozens of U.S. aircraft and drones, while resupply bottlenecks persist.
A government watchdog released its first report on the impact of the Iran war on Monday, detailing military weapon shortfalls and damage to American aircraft, bases, and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East.
During the conflict that escalated after Feb 28, Iranian strikes damaged hundreds of structures at bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other regional nations, compromising dozens of American aircraft and drones.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress the war cost $37.5 billion so far, while physical damage to diplomatic outposts in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE totaled an estimated $184 million.
The State Department evacuated about 9,000 Americans from the Middle East and Europe, with evacuation operations costing more than $11 million and trips from the UAE to Istanbul, Athens, and Washington exceeding $4 million.
Strategic inventory shortfalls and industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply have emerged, with experts predicting it will take about three years to replenish advanced missiles and defensive interceptors to prewar levels.