Iran war: What has been hit so far – and the military assets in play
Iran War: Strikes and Strategic Movements in the Region
The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has entered its fourth day, with attacks continuing after an initial strike that resulted in the death of the country’s top religious leader.
Operation and Initial Targets
Operation Epic Fury, launched by the United States, targeted Iran’s leadership, culminating in the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei within his Tehran residence. Meanwhile, Israel intensified its efforts with over 100 aerial assaults over three days, eliminating multiple key Iranian military figures.
“The US and Israel have deployed a range of precision-guided weapons in their operations against Iran,” stated Nic Jenzen Jones of 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 from 500 to 2,000 pounds in weight.”
Surface-to-surface strikes also involved Tomahawk missiles from naval platforms and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSm), according to ARES. Iran’s response has targeted several Gulf nations, including Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar, with drones and long-range projectiles.
Retaliation and Base Activity
Iran’s counterattacks have included a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which the military described as showcasing its operational reach. The Sajjil missile, Iran’s most advanced long-range weapon, can travel up to 2,000 kilometers, sufficient to reach Moscow or Athens but not yet capable of targeting the UK.
Sky News has compiled data on US and UK airbases in the Middle East and Europe, revealing shifts in aircraft movements. Over recent days, 47 US military planes—cargo and refueling aircraft—have been tracked, with at least 15 transiting through British bases, including four at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. This location has become a focal point due to its role in US operations and recent political debates over the Chagos Islands.
The UK’s Prime Minister initially resisted US use of the base for strikes on Tehran, highlighting its strategic value. Satellite images from Sunday morning showed 14 aircraft stationed near the runway, including six F-16 fighters and two P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes, with the remainder comprising transport models such as the C-5 Galaxy and KC-135 Stratotankers.
Base Movements and Strategic Implications
As operations escalate, US airbases in Germany have seen a notable reduction in aircraft numbers. Since February 23, 161 planes have landed at Spangdahlem and Ramstein, while 246 have departed, indicating a net loss of 52 planes. Similarly, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar has experienced a decline, with 20 more planes leaving than arriving.
In contrast, bases in Kuwait, Israel, and Jordan have seen an increase in aircraft activity. The aftermath of strikes is visible in satellite imagery at two Iranian naval bases, particularly at Bandar Abbas, the Navy’s central hub and overseer of the Strait of Hormuz. Fires are reported at the military harbor, with the Makran, Iran’s largest naval vessel, appearing damaged in the footage.
Sky News has tracked six Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz using TankerTrackers data, including the Makran. Analysts suggest the extent of damage to the ship could significantly affect Iran’s naval capabilities, though the exact impact remains uncertain.
