Iran struck and damaged five US Air Force refuelling planes on the ground at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, The Wall Street Journal reported, in what would mark a major escalation in the Middle East conflict involving the United States-Israel and the Islamic Republic.Click here for live updates on day 15 of Middle East war“The tankers were hit during a strike in recent days. They were damaged but not completely destroyed and are now being repaired,” one of the officials told the WSJ, adding that no casualties or fatalities were reported in the attack.The report comes after a US Air Force KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the region, later confirmed that all six crew members on board were killed.Also Read | ‘Totally obliterated’: Trump announces US strike on Iran’s military targets at Kharg Island; spares oil infra“The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.Operation Epic Fury is the US military’s codename for its ongoing operations in Iran.CENTCOM added that the aircraft’s loss was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.On March 1, three US F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in what CENTCOM described as a “friendly fire incident.” All six aircrew members managed to eject safely, it said.Also Read | Over $5bn in 2 days: Is Trump’s Iran war draining America’s missile stockpile? Reports later indicated that a Kuwaiti Air Force F-18 was responsible for shooting down the three F-15s.On February 28, the United States and Israel carried out joint strikes in Iran, triggering the current conflict. In response, Tehran has repeatedly targeted Israel as well as Gulf countries hosting US military bases.
