Satellite Images Show Damage From Iran War

Imagery reveals destruction at military sites and ports across the Middle East.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:18pm by Ben Kaplan

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Satellite images are beginning to reveal the toll of the ongoing war between Iran and the U.S. and its allies. The images, from companies like Planet Labs and the U.S. Geological Survey, show damage to military bases, ports, and other key infrastructure across the region, including ships ablaze in an Iranian port, destroyed buildings at a U.S. base in Bahrain, and fires at airports and ports in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Why it matters

The release of these satellite images provides a rare glimpse into the scale of destruction from the conflict, which has been largely hidden from public view. The damage to military and economic assets across the Middle East underscores the severe impact the war is having on the region.

The details

The satellite images show a range of targets that have been hit, including naval vessels in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, a major military base in Bahrain, and infrastructure at airports and ports in the UAE and Oman. The U.S. military claims to have sunk or damaged over 100 Iranian naval assets so far in the conflict.

  • The satellite images were taken between March 1 and March 17, 2026.
  • The war between Iran and the U.S. and its allies began on February 28, 2026.

The players

Planet Labs PBC

A San Francisco-based satellite imaging company that has provided imagery to media outlets, including the Associated Press.

U.S. Geological Survey

A government agency that has also published lower-resolution satellite imagery of the conflict.

U.S. Central Command

The U.S. military command responsible for operations in the Middle East, which claims to have sunk or damaged over 100 Iranian naval assets.

Iran

The country that has been engaged in a conflict with the U.S. and its allies, targeting military bases and economic assets across the region.

United Arab Emirates

A Gulf Arab nation that has seen damage to its airports and ports from Iranian drone and missile strikes.

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What’s next

The U.S. and its allies are expected to continue targeting Iranian military and economic assets, while Iran is likely to retaliate with further drone and missile strikes on regional infrastructure.

The takeaway

The release of these satellite images provides a rare public glimpse into the scale of destruction from the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S. and its allies, underscoring the severe toll the war is taking on the region's military and economic assets.