"If we want to achieve military objectives, we have the capability to do so." According to AFP report on October 31, U.S. Secretary of State Rubicov once again demonstrated a strong stance against military action against Iran. However, he also admitted that U.S. President Trump has not yet decided whether to launch a new round of military strikes.
Just as Rubio made these statements, the US Wall Street Journal revealed that Iran’s previous countermeasures have caused damage to hundreds of US military facilities in the Middle East. The US Department of Defense estimates the loss to be at least $5 billion, with a possible maximum cost of $15 billion.
Lubio said at a press conference held by the G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta, Georgia on that day that the United States has the ability to achieve its military goals, but Trump 'has not made a decision yet'.
"I do not have any news on this matter that I can announce today; we will also not take this lightly." he said.
Rubio also said that Trump prefers to resolve conflicts with Iran through diplomatic means, but the U.S. will not abandon military options.
"I will not comment on the progress of negotiations, nor will I discuss any timetables. I can only tell you that if there are diplomatic solutions, we are willing to consider them." Ruobio said.
Previously, Trump threatened to take new military action against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections on November 3rd, and even claimed that he was considering whether to “totally eliminate them”.
However, the US military has already paid a high price in previous wars.
The Wall Street Journal published an investigative report on October 31st. Through satellite images, statements from the Iranian military, and interviews with American officials, the report laid out the damage caused by Iranian forces to US military bases in the Middle East.
Surveys have found that during the first six months after the war broke out, Iranian missile and drone attacks caused damage to at least 274 building structures in 24 military facilities housing US troops. Specifically, in the first two weeks after the war began, at least 119 buildings in 13 bases were damaged.
Photos or video clips from foreign media showing US bases attacked by Iran
According to informed U.S. officials, the Pentagon estimates that the damage to U.S. military bases amounts to at least $5 billion, and another source says the figure could be as high as $15 billion.
According to a survey by The Wall Street Journal, the Center for Strategic and International Studies in the United States estimates that reconstructing the damaged buildings alone will cost over $4 billion, not including the cost of replacing the equipment and systems inside the buildings.
The report specifically mentioned that on July 17 this year, Iran launched an attack on the Muwa'afaq Salty Air Force Base in Jordan, resulting in the death of three US military personnel. Satellite images showed that at least 19 buildings were damaged, including facilities where US military personnel lived.
The Wall Street Journal pointed out that as the war continues, Iran’s targets have gradually shifted from large military facilities to buildings where U.S. troops reside. The precision of attacks has also improved. As a result, the U.S. military has evacuated or redeployed some base personnel. U.S. officials are also considering moving some military facilities to areas farther away from Iran.
It is worth noting that as of October 16th, the estimated costs for Iran’s war by the US have reached $47.1 billion, and the costs related to the damage to the aforementioned bases are not included in this figure.
According to Reuters, Iranian negotiators held talks with Qatar mediators in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on October 31 to discuss possible ways to end the conflict. The previous day, both sides had conducted more than 12 hours of consultations in Tehran.
Regarding the possibility of further military strikes from the United States, Iran’s supreme leader, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, warned the United States and Israel on that day not to attack Iran again. He also asked Iran’s armed forces to be prepared to respond forcefully to any new attacks.
