Pentagon unsure about ‘future posture’ in Middle East

Damage to American bases has made Operation Epic Fury against Iran more costly and complicated, a government report has said The Pentagon has yet to determine the future posture of US forces in the Middle East, including how regional bases damaged in the conflict with Iran will be rebuilt, according to a new government report examining Operation Epic Fury.The US military operation against Iran lasted from February 28 through June 30, although the confrontation remains unresolved, with Washington relying on a naval blockade and sanctions to pressure Tehran. Iran responded to the US-Israeli attack by striking military and infrastructure targets across the region and restricting traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.The report, prepared by three inspector general offices and released on Monday, highlighted difficulties in determining the full cost of Operation Epic Fury. The Pentagon estimated the campaign had cost $33.4 billion as of June 29, excluding the reconstruction of damaged military infrastructure.During congressional appropriations hearings in May, the department did not include military reconstruction costs because it “has not determined what its future posture wil...