Five United States Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft were damaged during an Iranian missile strike on a military base in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by the The Wall Street Journal.
The aircraft were hit while stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, a key facility used by U.S. forces in the Middle East, the newspaper reported on Friday, citing two American officials familiar with the incident.
According to the report, the refuelling planes were damaged but not destroyed and are currently undergoing repairs. Officials also said no casualties were recorded in the attack.
The strike is believed to have occurred during a recent Iranian missile barrage targeting the Saudi base, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East amid the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Prince Sultan Air Base has been a strategic hub for U.S. military operations in the region, hosting fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and refuelling tankers used to support air missions across the Gulf.
The damage to the aircraft could temporarily affect aerial refuelling operations, which are critical for extending the range and endurance of U.S. warplanes operating in the region.
Military officials have not yet provided further details about the extent of the damage or when the aircraft are expected to return to service.
