Iran war: What has been hit so far – and the military assets in play
Iran Conflict: Assessing the Targets and Strategic Assets in Play
U.S. and Israeli forces have intensified attacks on Iran for the fourth consecutive day following a strike that eliminated its top leader. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with Sky News compiling a visual breakdown of the assaults and the military assets involved in the region.
Operation Epic Fury began on Saturday as the U.S. launched strikes targeting Iran, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei within his Tehran residence. Zoom in to examine the locations of these strikes on satellite maps.
Joint Operations and Weaponry
Israel escalated its efforts by conducting over 100 air strikes in three days, eliminating several high-ranking Iranian military personnel. “Preliminary analysis shows that the United States and Israel used a variety of precision-guided weapons to strike Iran,” said Nic Jenzen Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES). These included air-delivered systems like the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Blue Sparrow-series ballistic missiles, and bombs ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds.
“In addition, surface-to-surface missiles were also fired, including sea-based Tomahawk-series missiles and the land-based Precision Strike Missile (PrSm),” Jones added.
Iran has retaliated by deploying drones and missiles against Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar. The U.S. confirmed six service members were killed, while a drone strike targeted an RAF base in Cyprus.
Missile Capabilities and Strategic Reach
Iran’s Sajjil missile, the country’s longest-range, reaches up to 2,000 kilometers, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a defense thinktank. This range allows it to threaten Moscow or Athens, though it still falls short of enabling strikes on the UK.
The UK’s base in Cyprus is within range of not only the Sajjil but also the Ghadr and Emad-1 missiles. Sky News’ Data and Forensics team analyzed the positioning of U.S. and UK airbases, highlighting their roles in potential strikes against Iran.
Aircraft Movements and Base Significance
Flight tracking data reveals the routes of 47 U.S. military cargo and refueling planes over recent days as they transited to and from the Middle East. At least 15 of these aircraft passed through British bases, including four at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The site has featured in recent media coverage due to its role as a transit point for U.S. aircraft.
Diego Garcia, in the Indian Ocean, has featured in recent media coverage due to its role as a transit point for U.S. aircraft. The Iran conflict has underscored the strategic value of the joint U.S.-UK military base, with Sir Keir Starmer initially blocking U.S. use of the facility for strikes on Tehran.
Satellite images from Sunday morning depict at least 14 aircraft stationed near the runway at the base, including six F-16 fighter jets and two P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes. The remaining aircraft are transport models, such as the C-5 Galaxy and KC-135 Stratotankers, as noted by Jane’s Defence Weekly analysts.
America’s air bases in Germany have seen a significant reduction in aircraft numbers. Since 23 February, 161 planes have landed at Spangdahlem and Ramstein, while 246 have departed, marking a 52-plane decrease. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar also experienced a net loss of 20 aircraft, making it a likely target for Iranian counterattacks.
Meanwhile, aircraft have been accumulating at bases in Kuwait, Israel, and Jordan. Recent satellite images show damage at two Iranian naval bases, including fires at the Bandar Abbas military port, a key hub for the Iranian Navy and overseer of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. A burning ship, the Makran, is visible in the imagery.
The Makran, one of six Iranian vessels tracked by Sky News using TankerTrackers data, is stationed near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts suggest the ship’s inoperability could weaken Iran’s naval capabilities, though the extent of damage remains unclear from the imagery.
