Satellite images suggest Iranian strikes may have damaged US THAAD radar sites

Strikes carried out by Iran across the region during the ongoing Middle East conflict with the United States and Israel appear to have degraded parts of the US-built Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) network after radar systems in several Gulf states were hit, according to a report.

Satellite imagery and analysis obtained by CNN indicate that radar systems linked to THAAD batteries in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were struck during the early days of the conflict, which began on February 28 .

These systems help America and Israel sustain operations to detect and track incoming ballistic missiles and drones.Imagery showed that a radar system supporting a THAAD battery at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base was struck and likely destroyed.

The base, located more than 500 miles from Iran, hosts US military aircraft and operations.

The radar was part of the AN/TPY-2 radar system built by Raytheon. It is considered the central sensor of the THAAD system and costs close to half a billion dollars, according to a 2025 budget from the US Missile Defense Agency. Images showed debris and burn marks around the radar location, along with two large craters nearby, indicating that multiple strikes may have been used to destroy the system.

The radar unit is spread across five large trailers, all of which appeared to have been severely damaged or destroyed, the report added. Another possible strike was observed near Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Air Base, where smoke was seen rising from a radar site used to shelter a THAAD unit. It was not immediately clear whether the radar was present at the time of the strike or whether it belonged to the American military or Saudi forces.

Additional satellite photos indicated damage to several buildings at military installations near Ruwais and Sader. These sites are known to host THAAD batteries and radar systems.

Satellite imagery also showed damage to an early warning radar system in Qatar, which is likely linked to Iran’s attempt to degrade the wider US-Israel missile detection and communication network across the Gulf.

Tehran has targeted American bases in Gulf states as well as civilian infrastructure in these countries and in Israel. On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring states, saying Iran would not attack them unless it was attacked.(With ANI inputs)