Reports: 10-15 US Troops Wounded in Iranian Missile and Drone Attack on Saudi Airbase

By Staff Reporter

At least 10 to 15 US troops were wounded in an Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to reports from US news outlets. The incident occurred amid an ongoing conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, following the collapse of nuclear negotiations earlier that year, amid reports of Iranian nuclear advancements, domestic protests in Iran, and threats issued by US President Trump.

The attack involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, The Associated Press (AP) reported. AP, citing unnamed sources briefed on the incident, stated that 15 US troops were wounded, with five in serious condition. An unidentified US official told Reuters that at least 12 troops were wounded, including two seriously. The Wall Street Journal reported that the soldiers were inside a building at the base when it was struck.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s central military headquarters, said in a video statement on Saturday that the attack destroyed one refuelling aircraft and damaged three others, taking them out of service. Iran’s English-language news channel Press TV published satellite images showing damage to several aircraft at the base. The Pentagon has not confirmed the destruction of any US aircraft; anonymous US officials have reported only damage to some refuelling planes.

The base, located about 96 km (60 miles) from Riyadh, is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force and also hosts US forces. It has come under attack twice earlier this week, including one incident that wounded 14 US soldiers, according to reports.

The conflict escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, prompted by failed 2026 nuclear talks, reported Iranian nuclear progress, internal unrest, and US warnings. Iran has conducted subsequent attacks on Gulf states, which it accuses of facilitating US operations.

Late Friday, one US-Israeli strike reportedly targeted Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant—the third such strike in 10 days. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated there was no material damage, no casualties, and no technical disruptions at the site.

Saudi Arabia has previously intercepted missiles near the base. The Pentagon and US Central Command had not commented on the latest incident as of Saturday.

Al Jazeera correspondent Zein Basrawi, reporting from Dubai, noted limited transparency regarding Iranian strikes. He said the number of injuries indicated the attack’s scale, adding that the base typically hosts 2,000 to 3,000 US personnel focused on missile defense and logistics. Basrawi observed that the base has faced repeated targeting since the conflict began.

Since February 28, at least 13 US service members have been killed—seven in the Gulf and six in Iraq—with more than 300 wounded, according to Pentagon figures. Iran’s government has not provided an updated casualty count. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported on March 23 that 1,167 Iranian soldiers had been killed, with 658 missing.

On Saturday, Iran’s military stated it had targeted a US support vessel near the port of Salalah in Oman but provided no further details.

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