US struck 3,000 targets in Iran in a week, 43 vessels damaged
The United States and Israel carried out large-scale strikes against Iran's military infrastructure during the first seven days of Operation Epic Fury. US Central Command (CENTCOM) and CBS News have said that over 3,000 targets were hit, and 43 Iranian vessels were damaged or destroyed.
Source: New York Times; CBS News
Details: The NYT writes that, according to satellite imagery and video analysis, the Iranian fleet suffered significant losses. At least seven moored warships were lost at two bases, along with part of their critical naval infrastructure. The entrance to an underground naval facility in the Strait of Hormuz was also hit.
The main strikes so far have been aimed at Iran's regular navy, which operates conventional warships. Meanwhile, the country has a separate fleet belonging to the Revolutionary Guard Corps, specialising in asymmetric maritime operations and using numerous speedboats and unmanned vessels, which are harder to detect and destroy, the journalists explain.
Several key Iranian naval facilities were also hit. Among them are a base on Qeshm Island, where an underground cove for speedboats is located, and a large base in Bandar Abbas.
Significant losses were also suffered at the Konarak naval base in the southeast of the country. Three warships moored at the pier sank, and at least eight buildings on the base were destroyed or damaged. According to analysts, these strikes have seriously weakened the Iranian naval presence in the Gulf of Oman area.
Overall, according to CBS News statistics as of 17:00 ET on Friday, the US attacked 43 ships, 27 Iranian military bases and missile positions, while Iran struck at least 12 US and allied military facilities in the region.
Background:
- Earlier, CBS News and The Washington Post reported that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on the movements of US forces and the positions of allied troops in the Middle East.
- US President Donald Trump refused to comment on media reports that Iran is receiving intelligence from Russia to strike US military positions.
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