Iran war: What has been hit so far – and the military assets in play
Iran War: What has been hit so far – and the military assets in play
The conflict between the US and Israel has extended into its fourth day, with strikes targeting Iran and resulting in the death of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hostilities show no signs of abating, prompting Sky News to chart the damage and the weapons deployed by both sides.
Operation Epic Fury began on Saturday, with US forces launching attacks that killed Khamenei at his Tehran residence. The operation included a series of coordinated strikes, with satellite maps offering a detailed view of where the assaults occurred.
Weapons and Tactics in Action
“Preliminary analysis indicates the US and Israel employed precision-guided munitions in their strikes on Iran,” said Nic Jenzen Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES). “These ranged from air-delivered systems like the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) to ballistic missiles such as the Blue Sparrow series, alongside bombs of varying sizes, including 500-, 1,000- and 2,000-pound-class ordnance.”
Additional strikes involved surface-to-surface weaponry, including Tomahawk missiles launched from sea and the land-based Precision Strike Missile (PrSm). Iran has responded by deploying drones and missiles against Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar.
The UK’s military base in Cyprus came under attack, with a drone strike targeting RAF Akrotiri. This act demonstrated Iran’s ability to strike beyond regional borders. Its longest-range missile, the Sajjil, can reach up to 2,000km, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, though it cannot yet target the UK directly.
Strategic Air Bases and Movement
Sky News’ Data and Forensics team has outlined key US and UK airbases in the Middle East and Europe, highlighting their potential use in attacks on Iran. Flight tracking data reveals the routes of 47 US military cargo and refueling planes over recent days, many of which passed through British facilities.
Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean saw four planes transit, while the UK’s involvement in the conflict has drawn attention to its role. Sir Keir Starmer initially withheld permission for the US to use the joint base in Diego Garcia for strikes on Tehran, emphasizing its strategic value.
US airbases in Germany have experienced a notable decline, with 246 planes departing from Spangdahlem and Ramstein compared to 161 arrivals since February 23. Similarly, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar has seen more departures than arrivals, positioning it as a potential Iranian target.
Satellite imagery from Sunday shows at least 14 aircraft stationed near the runway at Al Udeid, including six F-16 fighter jets and two P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes. Analysts noted that the UK operates only the P-8 model among these, while the rest are US transport aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy and KC-135 Stratotankers.
At two Iranian naval bases, the aftermath of strikes is visible. Fires broke out at Bandar Abbas, the naval headquarters overseeing the Strait of Hormuz, and the ship Makran, a large vessel, was damaged. This could weaken Iran’s maritime capabilities, as the Makran is one of six ships tracked by Sky News using TankerTrackers data.
