Iran targets US missile defense radars in Jordan and UAE amid escalating regional tensions

New satellite imagery from crucial military bases across the Arabian Peninsula indicates Iran is strategically attempting to degrade air defense capabilities by striking US-manufactured missile and drone detection radars. This calculated approach aims to weaken sophisticated interceptor systems, potentially altering the balance of power in a highly volatile region.

One satellite image, captured recently, starkly reveals that the radar system of a US THAAD missile battery stationed in Jordan was directly hit and appears to have been destroyed during the initial phase of the US-Israel strikes against Iran. This incident marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, highlighting Iran’s precise targeting capabilities.

Further analysis of satellite data suggests that buildings housing similar radar systems were also struck in two distinct locations within the United Arab Emirates. While the extent of damage to the equipment inside these UAE facilities remains under assessment, these incidents collectively point to a coordinated effort to neutralize critical defensive assets.

Key US defense systems targeted in new offensive

The AN/TPY-2 transportable radar, manufactured by Raytheon and integral to the THAAD system, is a critical component for detecting incoming ballistic missiles and guiding interceptors. Its destruction or damage significantly impairs a nation’s ability to counter airborne threats, as it serves as the “heart” of the entire defensive battery.

With an estimated cost of nearly half a billion dollars per unit, according to the 2025 Missile Defense Agency budget, the loss of such a radar is not only a major operational setback but also a substantial financial one. Replacing this specialized equipment requires considerable time and logistical effort, impacting regional defense postures.

THAAD radar: The heart of missile interception

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is renowned for its capacity to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight. Its efficacy relies heavily on the AN/TPY-2 radar, which provides long-range detection and precise tracking data essential for launching interceptors. The United States operates eight THAAD batteries globally, while the UAE fields two and Saudi Arabia one. Damaging this pivotal element, while not rendering the entire system completely inoperable due to other available resources, undoubtedly diminishes its overall effectiveness and operational flexibility, making it less responsive and adaptable to evolving threats.

Strategic damage in Jordan and the UAE

The radar system in Jordan was specifically located at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, positioned over 800 kilometers from Iran. Satellite imagery of the site showed a pair of 4-meter craters in the sand near the radar installation, suggesting that multiple attempts might have been necessary to achieve the strike. All five 12-meter trailers housing the radar components appeared either destroyed or severely damaged.

Evidence suggests the radar and THAAD battery at Muwaffaq were operational since at least mid-February and were likely hit on March 1 or 2. This base has been a hub of US military activity, with pre-conflict satellite images displaying over 50 fighter jets, drones, and transport aircraft on its runways, alongside numerous hangars likely concealing additional aircraft.

Beyond Jordan, at least three buildings at a military installation near Ruwais and four at another facility in Sader, both in the UAE, sustained damage between February 28 and March 1. Vehicle sheds used for storing radar systems for THAAD batteries at these locations were among the structures affected, raising concerns about the integrity of the missile defense infrastructure.

Analysis of satellite imagery confirms the consistent presence of THAAD batteries and their associated radars at Sader and Ruwais since 2016 and 2018, respectively. While it remains unclear whether the damaged systems belonged to US forces or the two batteries sold to the UAE, the targeting highlights a persistent vulnerability. High-resolution satellite images necessary to ascertain the presence of the radar systems at the exact moment of the strikes were not immediately available.

Expert insights on operational impact

Military munitions expert NR Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services (ARES), emphasized the gravity of the damage. “The AN-TPY/2 radar is essentially the heart of the THAAD battery, facilitating interceptor missile launches and contributing to a networked air defense picture,” Jenzen-Jones stated. “It is also incredibly expensive equipment. The loss of a single radar of this type would be an operationally significant event, likely requiring a replacement unit to be redeployed from another location, a process that demands considerable time and effort.”

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Jenzen-Jones also noted that while THAAD offers a broad engagement zone for protecting large areas, it must be integrated with other air and ballistic missile defense systems, such as Patriot batteries, to ensure comprehensive coverage against various threats and provide layered protection for the battery itself.

Broader regional targeting by Iranian forces

Recent reports indicated that Iranian attacks against US military bases and installations across the Arabian Peninsula have specifically targeted and damaged communication, radar, and intelligence equipment. This strategy appears designed to isolate these forward-deployed units, hindering their ability to coordinate and respond effectively to threats.

Further compounding these concerns, satellite imagery analyzed by Sam Lair, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, revealed damage to a US-made early warning radar system in Umm Dahal, Qatar. This broader pattern of attacks against critical sensor nodes suggests a calculated effort to blind and degrade regional air defense networks, extending beyond just THAAD systems.

International reactions and heightened alert

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on the operational status of specific capabilities in the region, citing security concerns. Authorities in Jordan and the UAE have also been contacted for official statements regarding these incidents.

Meanwhile, residents across the United Arab Emirates reported a noticeable surge in fighter jet activity over their airspace. France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, confirmed that France had deployed Rafale fighter jets to patrol Emirati airspace, explicitly to safeguard French military bases within the country. Details regarding the specific missions or whether these aircraft engaged any incoming drones or missiles were not disclosed.

De-escalation of missile strikes, drones persist

The UAE has observed a significant reduction in missile attacks on its territory since the conflict’s onset, dropping to seven missiles recently compared to 137 on the first day of the hostilities. However, drone attacks have remained frequent, constituting the majority of assaults against the UAE.

The Emirates, home to US troops at Al Dhafra Air Base, stands as one of the most targeted Arab nations in the Gulf, having faced 1,072 drone incursions and 196 ballistic missile attacks. This shift in attack methodology underscores Iran’s adapting tactics in its engagement with allied forces in the region.

Escalating rhetoric amid a volatile Middle East

The current wave of hostilities commenced with US and Israeli strikes against Iran, fueled by escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. These initial attacks triggered a fierce retaliation from the Iranian regime against nations in the Middle East hosting American military bases, including:

• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Jordan
• Iraq

In a dramatic development, Iranian state media announced the passing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a casualty of the US-Israeli attacks. Following this announcement, Iran vowed to launch the “heaviest offensive” in history. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted that Iran considers revenge for the attacks by Israel and the United States a “legitimate right and duty,” further intensifying the rhetoric.

In response to these threats, former US President Trump issued a stern warning against retaliatory attacks, stating, “they had better not do it, because if they do, we will hit them with a force never before seen.” He further reiterated that attacks against Iran would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week, or for as long as it takes, to achieve our goal of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, IN FACT, THE WORLD!” The exchanges of aggression persist as global powers monitor the rapidly evolving situation.