At least 12 US troops were injured in an Iranian strike on Saudi Arabia on Friday, with two reported to be in serious condition. The attack targeted Prince Sultan Air Base, according to Reuters, citing a US official.
The latest casualties push the total number of US service members wounded since the conflict began on February 28 to more than 300. Of these, around 273 have already returned to duty, while 13 American troops have been killed so far.
The combined missile and drone assault is being viewed as one of the most significant breaches of American air defences since the war began. US officials told The New York Times that the strike caused considerable damage to at least two KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft.
Officials said Iran has repeatedly targeted US bases across the Middle East, using a large arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones in an effort to retaliate and disrupt US bombing operations. The attacks have prompted US Central Command to relocate thousands of troops to safer areas, including some deployments to Europe.
Although most Iranian strikes have been intercepted by US and allied defence systems, low-cost disposable weapons such as Shahed drones have at times managed to penetrate defences. Previous incidents include a drone attack at Shuaiba port in Kuwait that killed six US Army reservists, and another strike at Prince Sultan on March 1 that killed a service member.
Nearly 225 of the injured troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries caused by missile blasts, though all but about 35 have since returned to active duty.At least 12 US troops were injured in an Iranian strike on Saudi Arabia on Friday, with two reported to be in serious condition. The attack targeted Prince Sultan Air Base, according to Reuters, citing a US official.
The latest casualties push the total number of US service members wounded since the conflict began on February 28 to more than 300. Of these, around 273 have already returned to duty, while 13 American troops have been killed so far.
The combined missile and drone assault is being viewed as one of the most significant breaches of American air defences since the war began. US officials told The New York Times that the strike caused considerable damage to at least two KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft.
Officials said Iran has repeatedly targeted US bases across the Middle East, using a large arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones in an effort to retaliate and disrupt US bombing operations. The attacks have prompted US Central Command to relocate thousands of troops to safer areas, including some deployments to Europe.
Although most Iranian strikes have been intercepted by US and allied defence systems, low-cost disposable weapons such as Shahed drones have at times managed to penetrate defences. Previous incidents include a drone attack at Shuaiba port in Kuwait that killed six US Army reservists, and another strike at Prince Sultan on March 1 that killed a service member.
Nearly 225 of the injured troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries caused by missile blasts, though all but about 35 have since returned to active duty.