Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia: At least 12 American soldiers were wounded in an Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with two suffering serious injuries, according to US media reports citing unidentified officials.
The strike targeted the base near Al Kharj, about 80 km south of Riyadh, where missiles and drones breached defenses, damaging at least two KC-135 refueling aircraft inside a building where troops were located.
This marks the latest in a series of Iranian retaliatory strikes on Gulf nations, which Tehran accuses of acting as launchpads for US military operations against the regime. Those US strikes began on February 28 in a joint operation with Israel, escalating tensions across the region.
Saudi Arabia has previously intercepted multiple missiles fired in the vicinity of the base, demonstrating ongoing defensive efforts amid the heightened conflict.
The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AFP.
Since the conflict with Iran erupted, 13 US military service members have been killed — seven in the Gulf and six in Iraq — with more than 300 others wounded. According to US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, the “vast majority” of the injuries have been minor, and most troops have already returned to duty.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that 10 troops remained seriously wounded from various incidents in the campaign.
