Five US Air Force aerial refuelling aircraft were damaged during an Iranian missile attack on a Saudi Arabian airbase in recent days, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal citing two US officials. The aircraft were struck while parked at Prince Sultan Air Base, though none were destroyed and no casualties were reported.
The incident comes as tensions across West Asia continue to intensify, with Iran claiming a new phase of retaliatory strikes against American and Israeli targets across the region. Iranian state-linked outlets have also released footage showing what they describe as coordinated drone launches aimed at multiple military positions.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the US aircraft sustained damage while on the ground during the missile strike but are now undergoing repairs. The report said the attack did not cause any deaths.
Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets circulated video footage that they say shows drones launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The visuals, posted on social media platforms and Telegram channels linked to state broadcasters, appear to show several delta-wing drones lined up on a runway before launching almost simultaneously.
In the footage, the drones lift off after ignition, producing bright bursts of flame and clouds of dust. As they climb, long trails of white smoke follow the aircraft as they move away from the launch site in what was described as a “swarm” deployment.
Iranian broadcasters earlier also showed images of what they described as a large underground facility housing parts of the IRGC’s drone arsenal.
Also Read: ‘Big hits, big wins’: Trump says US strikes shattered Iran’s military; Kharg Island bombed
Iran says new phase of retaliatory strikes underway
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said on Saturday that it had carried out the 48th wave of “Operation True Promise 4”, describing it as part of an ongoing campaign targeting American and Israeli installations.
In a statement cited by Iranian media, the IRGC said the latest strikes were conducted in coordination with the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Military officials said the attacks focused on locations in northern Israel, including Galilee, the Golan region and the city of Haifa.
Reports from Iranian broadcaster Press TV said the operation involved a combination of missiles and drones, including Kheibar Shekan solid-fuel missiles, Qadr liquid-fuel missiles and attack drones.
Iranian outlets said earlier phases of the campaign had targeted areas such as the Negev Desert, including the Nevatim airbase, as well as cities like Be’er Sheva and Lod.
The IRGC also claimed that attacks had reached several US facilities in the region, including al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, which it described as a major American military installation in West Asia.
Iranian state media further reported that since the beginning of the conflict late last month, the country has launched hundreds of missiles and drones against what it calls hostile positions.
Drone and missile strikes reported across region
Separate reports from Iraqi sources cited by Iranian broadcaster Press TV said a suicide drone targeted the radar system at the US embassy compound in Baghdad. The report claimed the attack was aimed at the facility’s electronic detection equipment.
Another strike was also reported to have hit the helipad area inside the embassy compound, according to Iraqi officials quoted by Al Jazeera.
Amid the escalating military exchanges, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States and Israel of acting together against Iran.
In remarks posted on social media, Ghalibaf alleged that US President Donald Trump had been influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in starting the conflict.
He added that Iran now sees “no distinction” between the United States and Israel after what he described as major crimes against the Iranian people.
According to Iranian media, the IRGC has also claimed that its air defence systems have intercepted multiple drones during the conflict, including Orbiter 4, Hermes and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
State broadcasters said a total of 114 reconnaissance and combat drones have been shot down since hostilities began.
Iranian outlets also reported that warning messages have been sent in Hebrew to residents in Israeli-controlled territories as part of what they described as psychological pressure during the conflict.
“By the permission of God, we will bring upon you days of darkness in which you will wish for death, but you will not find it,” stated the warning message.