Riyadh (TDI): In a significant escalation, five United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker were damaged during an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a key hub for American military operations, US officials said.
The aircraft were targeted while on the ground amid a wave of Iranian missile launches aimed at US military assets in the region over recent days, according to media reports.
The KC-135 Stratotankers, used to refuel fighter jets and bombers mid-air, were damaged but not destroyed, and are reportedly undergoing repairs. No, casualties were reported in the strike.
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This incident follows a previous accident earlier this week in which two KC-135s collided during an operation, resulting in one crash and the deaths of all six crew members aboard. With the latest attack, at least seven US refuelling aircraft have been damaged or destroyed in recent days.
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Officials say the Iranian strikes are part of an ongoing cycle of retaliation in response to US-led operations targeting Iranian facilities and affiliated groups across the Middle East. Security analysts warn that the repeated attacks have intensified fears of a broader regional conflict, prompting heightened alert levels at military installations throughout the Gulf.
