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
Hostilities between the US and Iran have persisted for a fourth consecutive day, with the operation that claimed the life of the country’s supreme leader marking a significant escalation in the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, Sky News has compiled a detailed account of the strikes on both sides and the strategic military equipment involved in the region.
US Strikes and Israeli Involvement
Operation Epic Fury, initiated by the United States, targeted key locations in Tehran on Saturday, leading to the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel subsequently joined the campaign, conducting over 100 aerial attacks in three days that eliminated several high-ranking Iranian military figures.
“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.”
Complementing these aerial assaults, surface-to-surface missiles were also deployed, such as the sea-based Tomahawk-series and the land-based Precision Strike Missile (PrSm). Iran has retaliated by launching drones and missiles at Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, and Qatar, underscoring the broadening scope of the conflict.
UK’s Strategic Bases and Air Movements
The UK’s military presence in Cyprus has come under threat, with a drone strike targeting its RAF Akrotiri base. This attack demonstrated Iran’s ability to strike locations in the region. Meanwhile, flight tracking data highlights the activity of 47 US military cargo and refuelling planes, many of which have passed through British bases, including Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Diego Garcia has been a focal point of recent debates, notably when Donald Trump criticized the UK’s decision to transfer control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The current conflict has underscored the base’s strategic importance, as Sir Keir Starmer initially withheld permission for its use in US strikes on Tehran.
Satellite Evidence and Weapon Deployment
Sky News’ Data and Forensics team has identified US and UK air bases in the Middle East and Europe as potential launch sites for attacks on Iran. Satellite imagery captured on Sunday revealed at least 14 planes stationed near the runway at the UK base, including six F-16 fighter jets and two P-8 Poseidon maritime spy planes. Analysts from Jane’s Defence Weekly noted that the UK operates only the P-8 models visible in the images, while the rest are US transport aircraft.
The C-5 Galaxy, the largest transport aircraft in the US military, was among the planes observed. It is capable of carrying heavy military vehicles and even fighter jets. Meanwhile, US air bases in Germany have seen a notable decrease in aircraft, with 246 planes departing from Spangdahlem and Ramstein compared to 161 arrivals since early February.
Iranian Naval Targets and Strategic Impact
Satellite images of Iranian naval bases show signs of damage following recent strikes. Fires are evident at Bandar Abbas, the main naval headquarters overseeing the Strait of Hormuz. A burning ship, the Makran, is also visible in the imagery, potentially impacting Iran’s maritime capabilities. This vessel is one of six tracked by Sky News via TankerTrackers, located near Qeshm island in the strait.
As the conflict unfolds, military assets continue to shift across the region, with bases in Kuwait, Israel, and Jordan becoming key hubs for accumulating aircraft. The ongoing strikes and counterattacks highlight the evolving dynamics of the war, with both sides leveraging their strategic positions to maximize their operational reach.
