It's too embarrassing for the United States! On April 25, foreign media reported that Iran's damage to U.S. military bases in the Middle East was far greater than officially disclosed. Facilities and equipment across Gulf states have been struck multiple times, and Iran even deployed F-5 fighter jets—which managed to penetrate U.S. air defense systems. Foreign media stated that the U.S. suffered massive losses, with repair costs potentially reaching several billion dollars.
To be honest, it’s not entirely surprising that U.S. military bases in the Middle East have suffered significant setbacks. But the fact that Iran’s F-5 fighters were able to bypass U.S. air defenses is truly beyond belief. After all, the F-5 is a vintage second-generation fighter from the 1960s, with an age exceeding 50 years. These aircraft are not only outdated but also have limited range, virtually no stealth capabilities, lack advanced electronic countermeasures, and do not possess high-end supersonic penetration performance.
In modern air combat systems, such planes are already obsolete relics. Yet, despite possessing multi-layered defense systems including Aegis, Patriot, and THAAD, the U.S. military failed to intercept even this outdated fighter jet—something that would be deeply humiliating if revealed. It is highly likely that Iran disabled or severely damaged U.S. radar systems, early warning aircraft, and unmanned reconnaissance drones, allowing these aging F-5s to exploit gaps and breach American defenses. Following this incident, America’s deterrence power in the Middle East will undoubtedly be significantly weakened, causing Gulf allies to doubt the so-called "American security umbrella" and prompting them to reassess their reliance on U.S. protection. This predicament was surely something the United States never anticipated.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863454010978313/
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