Fox News reports US official: We used long-range weapons in the strikes on Iran

Fox News reports US official: We used long-range weapons in the strikes on Iran

U.S. Military Utilizes Long-Range Assets in Strikes Against Iran
February 28, 2026

The U.S. military has confirmed the deployment of long-range weapons and advanced strike capabilities during recent operations targeting Iran, according to reports from Fox News and U.S. defense officials. These strikes, part of a broader escalation following Iranian missile attacks on U.S. and allied positions in the Middle East, involved carrier strike groups, airpower, and missile defense systems, reflecting significant financial and operational commitments.

The USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Groups operated in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf, providing air superiority and strike capacity across the region. U.S. Air Force fighter jets, including F-15s, F-16s, and F-35s, were deployed to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, supported by aerial refueling and surveillance assets. These operations underscore the high costs of maintaining a forward-deployed military presence, with carrier operations alone requiring substantial fuel, maintenance, and personnel expenditures.

A critical financial concern lies in missile defense systems. The U.S. fired over 150 THAAD interceptors during the June 2025 Iran-Israel missile exchange, consuming roughly 25% of the Pentagon's funded inventory. THAAD interceptors cost approximately $12 million each, compared to Iranian ballistic missiles estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit. Defense analysts warn that prolonged missile engagements could strain stockpiles, as replenishing advanced interceptors takes years, creating a potential imbalance in cost-effectiveness.

The economic implications extend to broader defense budgets. The U.S. has surged naval and air assets into the region, including destroyers in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. While exact costs of these deployments are classified, such operations require sustained funding for logistics, fuel, and personnel. Additionally, the Defense Intelligence Agency notes that Iran's space program could accelerate its long-range missile capabilities by 2035, potentially increasing future defense expenditures.

For investors and financial professionals, the conflict highlights vulnerabilities in missile defense economics and the fiscal burden of prolonged regional engagements. While the U.S. maintains a technological edge, the asymmetry in cost per intercept versus attack remains a strategic and financial challenge. As diplomacy and military posturing continue, the financial toll on defense budgets and global markets could intensify, particularly if hostilities expand.

Fox News, February 2026: Fox News, February 2026.
Fox News, February 2026: Fox News, February 2026.