The Boeing E-3 Sentry suffered significant damage (AWACS)
The strike on Prince Sultan airbase, which occurred on Friday, was the result of the launch of at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, according to the Associated Press.
As noted by The Wall Street Journal, at the time of the attack, military personnel were inside one of the buildings on the base. According to an unnamed source from the U.S., at least 12 servicemen were injured, two of whom are in serious condition.
An Iranian military spokesman, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, confirmed in a video statement that one of the refueling aircraft was "completely destroyed" as a result of the attack, while three others were damaged and rendered inoperable.
Satellite images published by the English-language Iranian channel Press TV show the destruction at the airbase following the strike. Earlier, there had already been two incidents at this base that resulted in injuries to 14 American servicemen.
The BBC also reports the loss of an American long-range radar detection and control aircraft (AWACS) Boeing E-3 Sentry. The U.S. Air Force currently has 16 such aircraft, six of which are in the Persian Gulf. The loss of one of them could significantly reduce the combat capabilities of both the U.S. Air Force and Israel in the conflict with Iran, the publication emphasizes.
The airbase is located approximately 96 km from Riyadh and is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force, but is also used by American military personnel.
Iran continues to retaliate against the Gulf countries, which it believes serve as bases for U.S. attacks on its territory, which began on February 28 as part of a joint operation with Israel.
Meanwhile, late Friday evening, one of the American-Israeli strikes targeted the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This third strike in ten days, according to the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, did not result in damage or casualties, and no technical failures were reported.
Al Jazeera correspondent Zain Basravi, working in Dubai, noted that there is little information about the Iranian attacks, but the number of injured indicates the seriousness of the situation. The base typically houses between 2,000 to 3,000 American servicemen engaged in missile defense systems and logistical support.
“Since the beginning of the conflict, this base has regularly become a target for attacks, and this may raise additional questions for the U.S. administration,” he added.
Also on Saturday, Iranian military officials reported an attack on an American supply ship in the port of Salalah, but details were not disclosed.
