Iranian Missile and Drone Strike on US Base in Saudi Arabia Injures 12 Troops

By Sabeeh Zanair :

A combined Iranian missile and drone attack on a major US military base in Saudi Arabia has injured 12 American troops, including two seriously, in one of the most significant breaches of US air defences since the start of the month-long conflict with Iran.

According to US officials, the strike targeted Prince Sultan Air Base, a key facility used by American forces in the region.

Aircraft Damaged in Attack

The assault also caused significant damage to at least two KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft, which are vital for supporting US military operations in the Middle East.

Officials said the coordinated strike represented one of the most serious Iranian attacks on US military infrastructure during the ongoing war.

Growing Military Escalation

Iran has launched repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks on US bases across the Middle East, aiming to retaliate against American airstrikes and disrupt military operations.

While most of these attacks have been intercepted by US and allied air defence systems, some have penetrated the defence network. Iran’s Shahed drones, known for being relatively cheap and expendable, have posed a particular challenge for defenders.

US Central Command has responded by dispersing thousands of troops across multiple locations, including relocating some personnel as far as Europe, to reduce exposure to potential strikes.

Rising Casualties

Nearly 300 US troops have been injured since the conflict began, including around 225 suffering traumatic brain injuries caused by missile blasts. Military officials say most have since returned to duty.

The conflict has also resulted in 13 American service member deaths so far. Earlier in the war, six US Army reservists were killed in a drone strike in Kuwait, while another service member died following a previous attack on Prince Sultan Air Base earlier this month.

Heavy Civilian Toll

The majority of casualties in the conflict have been reported in Iran and Lebanon, where large-scale airstrikes have continued.

Human rights groups say more than 1,492 civilians have been killed in Iran, with total deaths exceeding 3,300 people. Lebanon’s health ministry reports over 1,110 fatalities since Israeli strikes intensified.

Additional casualties have been reported in Gulf countries and Israel, bringing the regional death toll into the thousands.

Diplomacy and Deadlines

Despite the escalating violence, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that diplomatic efforts are underway.

The US administration has extended a deadline for Iran to reach an agreement, giving Tehran until April 6 to respond to American demands. Trump previously warned that Iran’s energy infrastructure could be targeted if negotiations fail.

Iranian officials, however, have disputed claims that meaningful peace talks are currently taking place.

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