Iran Conflict: Assessing Damage and Military Assets in Play

Fourth-Day Strikes and Casualties

The U.S. and Israel intensified their attacks on Iran, marking the fourth consecutive day of hostilities following an operation that resulted in the death of the country’s top leader.

With no clear resolution to the ongoing clashes, Sky News has compiled a breakdown of the attacks from both sides, alongside the military equipment involved. The U.S. initiated Operation Epic Fury with a sequence of strikes on Saturday, eliminating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at his Tehran residence. Israel joined the effort, targeting Iranian military figures in over 100 air strikes across three days, claiming dozens of casualties.

Military Assets Deployed in Attacks

“Preliminary analysis indicates the U.S. and Israel employed a range of precision-guided weapons in their assaults on Iran,” said Nic Jenzen Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES). These included air-delivered munitions like the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Blue Sparrow-series ballistic missiles, and bombs varying in weight from 500 to 2,000 pounds. Surface-to-surface missiles such as the Tomahawk and Precision Strike Missile (PrSm) were also utilized, with the latter being launched from both land and sea platforms.”

Iran’s Retaliatory Response

Iran has escalated its countermeasures, deploying drones and missiles against Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar. The U.S. confirmed six military personnel were killed in the crossfire, while a drone strike hit an RAF base in Cyprus. This attack underscored Iran’s growing capability to strike beyond its immediate borders, with its longest-range missile, the Sajjil, capable of reaching up to 2,000km—enough to target Moscow or Athens, though not sufficient to threaten the UK.

Base Activity and Strategic Shifts

Flight tracking data reveals 47 U.S. military aircraft have transited between the Middle East and Europe, with at least 15 passing through British facilities, including Diego Garcia. The base, previously a focal point of political debate due to Donald Trump’s criticism of the UK’s plans to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, has become a critical node in the conflict. Analysts noted the UK’s base in Cyprus was a key target, highlighting its strategic value.

Sky News’ Data and Forensics team has identified US and UK airbases in the Middle East and Europe as potential launch points for operations against Iran. While Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar saw a net loss of 20 aircraft, bases in Kuwait, Israel, and Jordan have seen increased activity. The U.S. bases in Germany, including Spangdahlem and Ramstein, experienced a notable reduction in aircraft numbers, with 246 departing compared to 161 arriving since early February.

Damage Assessment from Satellite Imagery

Satellite maps offer a closer look at the locations targeted in recent strikes. The aftermath at two Iranian naval bases shows visible damage, particularly at Bandar Abbas, the Navy’s main hub and overseer of the Strait of Hormuz. A burning ship, the Makran, is also captured in the images, raising concerns about Iran’s maritime capabilities. Analysts estimate the vessel could be a significant loss if rendered inoperable, as it serves as a mobile base.

Using data from TankerTrackers, Sky News tracked the Makran among six Iranian vessels positioned near Qeshm Island. The satellite imagery also highlights the strategic positioning of the C-5 Galaxy, the U.S.’s largest transport aircraft, alongside KC-135 Stratotankers and F-16 jets at British facilities. The UK’s involvement in the conflict remains limited, as it operates only the P-8 Poseidon models visible in the footage.