U.S.Troops Wounded, 2 aerial refuellers Damaged in Iranian Strike on Saudi Airbase

Twelve U.S. troops were wounded, including two seriously, in an Iranian military strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Reuters reported, citing U.S. officials on Friday.

The attack involved at least one missile and several drones, according to reports by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal citing unidentified officials. The soldiers were inside a building at the base when it was hit. At least two KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft reportedly sustained significant damage.

In addition, a Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft is also reported to have been damaged.

The latest casualties bring the total number of U.S. service members wounded in the conflict to more than 300. Earlier on Friday, the U.S. military said 273 had returned to duty. A total of 13 U.S. troops have been killed since the start of the war.

U.S. Central Command has reported that a large number of injuries were caused by missile blasts, including traumatic brain injuries. Iranian strikes across the region have targeted U.S. bases using ballistic missiles and drones, prompting the dispersal of U.S. forces to reduce exposure.

Previous incidents include the deaths of six U.S. Army reservists in a drone strike at Shuaiba port in Kuwait at the start of the war, and another service member killed in an earlier attack on Prince Sultan Air Base on March 1.

The strike comes amid ongoing military escalation and diplomatic efforts. President Donald Trump has stated that peace talks are underway, while also warning of further strikes on Iranian infrastructure if an agreement is not reached by April 6. Iranian officials have disputed claims that negotiations are progressing.

The strike is one of the most serious breaches of U.S. air defenses reported during the ongoing conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 following joint U.S.-Israel operations against Iranian targets.

Iran has continued retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations it accuses of supporting U.S. military operations. Several previous missile launches near the base were intercepted by Saudi defenses.

The latest casualties bring the total number of U.S. service members wounded in the conflict to more than 300. Earlier on Friday, the U.S.