Iran launched a coordinated missile and drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, wounding 12 American service members according to a U.S. official—two of whom were seriously injured. The attack marks one of the most significant breaches of U.S. air defenses since the current conflict with Iran began.
The assault damaged at least two KC-135 refueling aircraft and destroyed an E-3 Sentry command and control aircraft, which is estimated to cost over $700 million to replace. Images shared online and independently confirmed show the destruction of this critical asset.
To shield personnel from further attacks, U.S. Central Command has dispersed thousands of troops across multiple sites, including bases in Europe. However, Iran’s low-cost, expendable Shahed drones continue to pose a persistent threat despite advanced defensive measures.
Since U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran commenced, nearly 300 American service members have been injured, with approximately 225 diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. Only about 35 of these troops have not yet returned to duty.
A human rights organization reports over 1,492 civilian deaths in Iran as a result of the conflict. The Lebanese health ministry, which has recorded more than 1,110 fatalities in Lebanon where Israel is also targeting Iran’s Hezbollah allies, indicates a similarly high toll. The U.S. military has suffered 13 fatalities throughout the operations.
