Iranian Attack Injures 10 Americans in Saudi: Rising Tensions

The incident, which occurred at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, resulted in injuries to ten U.S. service members, according to multiple news sources. Two of the service members were seriously injured, according to a U.S. official familiar with the incident who spoke to The Associated Press. The missile attack damaged several U.S. refueling craft and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials.

The Defense Department has yet to issue an official comment on the attack. This is the second successful attack on the base this month, in response to a joint U.S.-Israeli assault.

This attack is the second of its kind on the base this month, in response to a joint U.S.-Israeli assault. A previous attack on March 1 resulted in the death of Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26. He is one of 13 service members who have died since the start of “Operation Epic Fury.” Six were killed in an office space in Kuwait, while another six died in a refueling plane crash.

U.S. Central Command (Centcom) told The Hill that over 300 service members have been injured in the conflict. Ten remain seriously wounded, while 273 have returned to active duty.

The U.S. and Iran submitted ceasefire proposals as the conflict enters its fifth week. Iran publicly rejected the U.S.’s 15-point peace plan, sending a counterproposal that calls for Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, an end to hostilities, and a stop to attacks on government officials.

Trump administration officials indicated that Iran has not formally responded to their proposal, which was sent through Pakistani mediators.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations in France on Friday that the conflict could end in two to four weeks, Axios reported. Previously, Rubio had stated that “progress has been made” in talks with Iran.

“There’s a growing amount of energy that’s been flowing through the straits. Not as much as should be flowing, but some of it has picked up,” Rubio told reporters Thursday. “So again, there’s been some progress in regards to the exchange of messages, but that’s an ongoing and fluid process, and not one we’re going to negotiate or talk about in the media.”

President Trump has expressed that the war will end soon, while simultaneously ramping up the presence of U.S. troops in the region. The Pentagon has deployed 2,500 Marines and 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne in the past week and is reportedly considering sending another 10,000 troops to the region.

The situation remains volatile, with both sides showing contradictory positions regarding the resolution of the conflict.