Five U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian missile attack in recent days. The Wall Street Journal reported the incident on Friday, citing two U.S. officials who said the planes were damaged but not fully destroyed and are now undergoing repairs. No one was killed in the strikes, and U.S. Central Command declined to comment.

The attack adds to a series of Iranian strikes on U.S. military assets hosted by Gulf allies amid an escalating conflict that began in late February 2026. Iran has targeted bases in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets under Operation Epic Fury. Prince Sultan Air Base, located south of Riyadh, hosts U.S. forces and has been a hub for American aircraft deployed to the region for operations against Tehran.

This incident brings the tally of U.S. refueling planes damaged or lost to at least seven recently. On Thursday, two KC-135s collided over western Iraq, with one crashing and killing all six crew members aboard, according to the Pentagon. Separately, an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Saudi Arabia on March 1 wounded personnel, leading to the death of one service member eight days later.

Iran's campaign has included drone and missile barrages on Saudi infrastructure and U.S. positions since February 28. Saudi defenses intercepted attacks on the base and Riyadh's airport that day, reporting no losses initially. Subsequent strikes hit the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh on March 3, causing minor damage, and civilian areas like Al-Kharj on March 8, where two civilians died and 12 were injured. Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond and condemned the assaults as violations of international law.

The U.S. has surged aircraft to the Middle East, including tankers critical for long-range missions, as it conducts intense operations against Iranian military sites. U.S. Central Command reported striking about 6,000 targets in Iran as of March 12. President Trump has threatened further action against Iran following attacks on Gulf nations.

Saudi Arabia and allies like Pakistan have bolstered defenses, with Riyadh purchasing interceptor missiles and receiving support pledges. The conflict has driven up oil prices and prompted the U.S. State Department to order non-essential personnel out of Saudi Arabia.