Iranian Attack on Saudi Base Wounds at Least 10 US Troops

Missile strike also damages several planes at Prince Sultan Air Base

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:18pm

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An Iranian missile attack on a military base in Saudi Arabia has wounded at least 10 U.S. service members and damaged several planes, according to two U.S. officials. The attack on Prince Sultan Air Base comes a day after President Trump said Iran has been 'obliterated' and Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed the Iranian military has been 'quickly and effectively neutralized'.

Why it matters

This latest attack on a Saudi base hosting U.S. troops represents an escalation in the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have been steadily rising since the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The incident could further strain relations between the two countries and increase the risk of a wider military conflict in the region.

The details

The attack involved both an Iranian missile and drones, and two of the wounded U.S. troops were seriously injured. Several U.S. refueling aircraft were also damaged in the strike. This is not the first time Prince Sultan Air Base has been targeted, as Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington was killed in an earlier attack on the base in March.

  • The attack occurred on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Sgt. Pennington was killed in an attack on the base on March 1, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who said Iran has been 'obliterated'.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who claimed the Iranian military has been 'quickly and effectively neutralized'.

Benjamin N. Pennington

A 26-year-old Army Sergeant who was killed in an earlier attack on Prince Sultan Air Base.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who said the U.S. can achieve its objectives in the region without ground troops.

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What they’re saying

“Never in recorded history has a nation's military been so quickly and so effectively neutralized.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary

“We can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops.”

— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

What’s next

The Pentagon is preparing to send at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days, and two Marine units that will add about 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region.

The takeaway

This attack highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and the potential for further escalation in the region. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the Trump administration's strategy towards Iran, and whether the deployment of additional troops will be sufficient to achieve U.S. objectives without risking a wider conflict.