Image: from Shanaka Anslem Perera X @shanaka86
By Open Chronicle Staff Wednesday, March 4, 2026
WASHINGTON — In the first four days of the escalating conflict with Iran, the United States has sustained nearly $2 billion in military equipment losses, according to a detailed analysis of operational data and satellite imagery. The financial toll highlights the sophistication of Tehran’s retaliatory capabilities and the immense cost of maintaining a high-intensity conflict in the Middle East.
The single largest loss occurred at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where an Iranian missile strike on Saturday disabled a U.S. AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system. The unit, a cornerstone of regional surveillance, is valued at approximately $1.1 billion.
Friendly Fire and Strategic Hits
Beyond direct Iranian strikes, the U.S. air fleet suffered a significant blow on Sunday during a tragic “friendly fire” incident. Three F-15E Strike Eagles were downed by Kuwaiti air defenses. While all six crew members successfully ejected and survived, the loss of the aircraft accounts for an estimated $282 million in replacement costs.
The Iranian campaign has also systematically targeted U.S. communications and defensive infrastructure:
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Manama, Bahrain: Strikes on the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters destroyed two AN/GSC-52B satellite communications terminals ($20 million).
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United Arab Emirates: Iran claimed a successful hit on the AN/TPY-2 radar component of the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system in Al-Ruwais. Satellite imagery confirms a strike on the unit, which is valued at $500 million.
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Erbil, Iraq: Multiple structures at the military installation at Erbil International Airport have been leveled, with fires reported through Monday.
Diplomatic Missions Under Siege
The violence has not been restricted to military bases. U.S. diplomatic outposts in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE have all come under fire.
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In Riyadh, two drones struck the U.S. Embassy compound, reportedly hitting a CIA station housed within.
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In Kuwait City, the embassy was forced to close “until further notice” following a drone and missile barrage described by local officials as “brutal.”
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In Dubai, a suspected Iranian drone struck a parking lot adjacent to the U.S. Consulate. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that all personnel were accounted for following the incident.
A War of Attrition
As Operation Epic Fury continues, the rapid degradation of high-value assets like the THAAD radar and early warning systems poses a significant challenge for U.S. Central Command. While the Trump administration remains resolute, the $1.902 billion price tag for the first 96 hours of combat suggests that the economic weight of this war may soon rival its military complexity.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blockaded and diesel prices in Europe already surging past $2.33 per liter, the financial repercussions of the conflict are rippling far beyond the charred hangars of the Persian Gulf.