Iran war: What has been hit so far – and the military assets in play
Escalation in the Iran Conflict
Hostilities between the US and Iran have intensified, with strikes continuing for a fourth consecutive day. Israel has joined the operation, targeting key military figures and launching over 100 aerial attacks in recent days.
Operation Epic Fury and Initial Targets
The US initiated Operation Epic Fury on Saturday, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at his Tehran residence. Sky News has compiled data to illustrate the extent of attacks on both sides and the military resources involved.
Munitions and Strategic Assets
“Preliminary analysis shows that the United States and Israel used a variety of precision guided munitions to strike Iran,” said Nic Jenzen Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES). “These included air-delivered weapons such as the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Blue Sparrow-series air-launched ballistic missiles, and various 500-, 1,000- and 2,000-pound-class bombs.”
Additional strikes involved surface-to-surface missiles, including Tomahawk-series launches from sea and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSm) from land. Iran’s retaliatory efforts have focused on launching drones and missiles against Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar.
Retaliation and Casualties
Iran has targeted multiple locations, including a RAF base in Cyprus, where six US service members were confirmed killed. The drone strike on RAF Akrotiri served as a display of Iran’s operational reach. The Sajjil missile, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, can travel up to 2,000km, sufficient to strike Moscow or Athens but not reaching the UK.
Strategic Air Bases and Aircraft Movement
Sky News’ Data and Forensics team has documented the movement of military aircraft, tracking 47 US cargo and refueling planes over recent days. At least 15 of these aircraft passed through British bases, including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, a site recently controversial due to Trump’s criticism of the UK’s plan to transfer Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Analysts at Jane’s Defence Weekly noted that the UK’s base in Cyprus is within range of Iran’s Ghadr and Emad-1 missiles. Meanwhile, US air bases in Germany have seen a net loss of 52 aircraft, with 246 departing and 161 arriving since February 23. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar also experienced a similar trend, with more planes leaving than arriving.
Accumulation at Key Locations
Conversely, aircraft are gathering at bases in Kuwait, Israel, and Jordan. Satellite imagery from Sunday revealed 14 planes stationed at Al Udeid, including six F-16 fighter jets and two P-8 Poseidon maritime spy planes. The C-5 Galaxy, the largest US transport aircraft, and KC-135 Stratotankers are also present.
Impact on Iranian Naval Capabilities
Recent satellite images show damage at two Iranian naval bases. Bandar Abbas, the headquarters of the Iranian Navy, has fires visible at its military harbor. A burning ship, the Makran, is also observed, likely a significant blow to Iran’s maritime strength. The Makran is among six Iranian vessels tracked by Sky News, positioned near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
