The question is how long it would take the Iranians to rebuild some or all of the nuclear capability, especially after the top scientists in their nuclear program were targeted and killed.

Iran's resurgence, Israel's military posture, and U.S. backing create a high-stakes triangle driving the region toward renewed conflict.

The U.S. military and Qatar didn't respond to requests for comment over the damage, which so far hasn't been publicly acknowledged.

The Pentagon on Friday acknowledged that an Iranian ballistic missile hit Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June during an Iranian attack after President Donald Trump downplayed the assault. The statement from Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell follows The Associated Press publishing satellite images Friday showing

Pentagon officials had not previously acknowledged any damage at the base from an Iranian missile attack and had said that U.S. forces there "successfully defended against the attack."