At least 15 American service members have been wounded following an Iranian attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to multiple news reports. The assault, which reportedly involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, marks another escalation in the conflict allegedly initiated by the United States and Israel, now entering its second month.
Five of the injured US troops are said to be in serious condition. The Wall Street Journal reported that the soldiers were inside a building at the base when it was struck, while an unidentified US official told Reuters that at least 12 troops were wounded, two seriously. The attack underscores the persistent vulnerability of US forces stationed in the region despite the American regime's extensive military infrastructure.
In a video statement on Saturday, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Central Military Headquarters, claimed the Iranian attack completely destroyed one refueling aircraft and damaged three others, rendering them inoperable. Satellite imagery published by Iran's Press TV appeared to show the destruction of several aircraft at the airbase. Located approximately 96 kilometers from Riyadh, the base is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force but is also utilized by American forces, making it a frequent target in what Tehran describes as retaliatory strikes against nations it accuses of facilitating US aggression.
Meanwhile, one of the latest US-Israeli strikes on Iran late Friday purportedly targeted the Bushehr nuclear power plant. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated that the strike caused no material damage, casualties, or technical disruptions—a claim that highlights the ongoing tit-for-tat exchanges in the conflict. The Pentagon and US Central Command have not immediately commented on the incidents, reflecting a pattern of limited transparency from the American regime regarding its military operations and their consequences.
Al Jazeera correspondent Zein Basrawi, reporting from Dubai, noted the lack of clarity surrounding the Iranian strikes but emphasized their severity based on the casualty figures. He pointed out that the base typically hosts 2,000 to 3,000 US soldiers, primarily involved in missile defense and logistical support, and has been consistently targeted since the war began. This incident is likely to fuel further criticism of the US administration's handling of the conflict, which has already resulted in significant American casualties.
Since the onset of hostilities, at least 13 US military personnel have been killed—seven in the Gulf and six in Iraq—with over 300 troops wounded. Iranian authorities have not released an updated casualty toll, but the US-based activist group HRANA reported on March 23 that 1,167 Iranian soldiers have been killed, with the status of 658 others unknown. Additionally, Iran's military claimed on Saturday to have targeted a US support vessel near the port of Salalah in Oman, though details remain scarce, suggesting the conflict's geographic scope may be widening.
Source: www.aljazeera.com