The US-Israel war against Iran does not appear to have achieved its projected objectives, as Iran has responded with significant strikes on Israel as well as on US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman. Though the US claims to have hit 15,000 targets in Iran, Tehran has retaliated with considerable success, reportedly inflicting severe damage on Israeli and US targets.
Collateral damage has also been significant. Reports suggest that three US F-35 fighter jets have been brought down in Kuwait, while a US refuelling aircraft with six crew members on board has been lost. Iran is also said to have inflicted sustained blows on US radar systems and command-and-control infrastructure at several American bases, resulting in estimated losses of at least $40 billion.
Both US aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, were reportedly struck by Iranian missiles and had to withdraw temporarily to contain fires and undertake repairs. Even the US Fifth Fleet has reportedly been targeted by Iranian attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear programme “ which the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had maintained was not intended to produce a nuclear weapon “ is believed to have accumulated about 441 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium. Iran’s missile programme also does not appear to have been significantly disrupted.
At present, the conflict is far from being a one-sided affair, contrary to what the US and Israel had projected.
