Iran’s Drone Attack Hits U. S. Troops at Saudi Base

The war in the Middle East has pushed the number of American soldiers wounded to more than 300. A recent strike on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base by Iran sent six ballistic missiles and 29 drones crashing into the facility, injuring at least 15 U.S. personnel, some seriously. Earlier estimates had put the figure at ten wounded soldiers, but new information raised the count.

The base is a joint U.S.–Saudi installation about 60 miles from Riyadh and has been under attack multiple times this month. In one earlier incident, 14 U.S. troops were hurt and a second attack damaged an American aircraft without causing injuries. The most recent assault also left one Army sergeant dead days later, bringing the total U.S. fatalities in the conflict to 13.

U.S. forces are bolstering their presence in the region. A Navy amphibious ship, the USS Tripoli, carrying roughly 2,500 Marines from Japan’s 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, has arrived in the Middle East after almost two weeks of exercises near Taiwan. The ship also brings aircraft and assault assets to the area. Another carrier group, including the USS Boxer and a Marine unit from San Diego, was dispatched to reinforce the deployment. Together with two aircraft carriers, several warships and about 50,000 troops, this marks the largest U.S. force in the region in over two decades.

Despite these reinforcements, the Secretary of State said the United States could achieve its goals without deploying ground troops. He also warned that President Trump must stay ready for multiple scenarios, giving the administration flexibility to respond if new threats appear.

Iran’s retaliation against U.S. and Israeli actions has led to strikes on Israel and neighboring Gulf states, disrupting air travel and oil exports. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane controlled by Iran, has become a focal point for economic fallout. The U.S. president is under pressure to end Iran’s control of the strait, especially after he claimed negotiations were progressing well. Iran, however, has denied any engagement in talks and set a deadline of April 6 for the U.S. to reopen the waterway.

The Pentagon has yet to comment on the latest casualty figures, but Central Command reports that most wounded soldiers have returned to duty. Around 30 remain inactive and ten are considered seriously injured.