By — Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Aamer Madhani, Associated Press By — Samy Magdy, Associated Press Samy Magdy, Associated Press By — Ben Finley, Associated Press Ben Finley, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/iranian-attack-on-saudi-base-injures-u-s-troops-as-more-american-forces-arrive-in-the-middle-east Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Iranian attack on Saudi base injures U.S. troops as more American forces arrive in the Middle East Nation Mar 28, 2026 5:42 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of American service members wounded in the Iran war has grown beyond 300, with more than two dozen troops injured this week from attacks on a Saudi air base. Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan air base in an attack Friday that injured at least 15 troops, including five seriously, according to two people briefed on the matter. U.S. officials initially reported that at least 10 U.S. troops were injured, including two who were seriously wounded. READ MORE: U.S. troops wounded, planes damaged in Iranian strike on Saudi air base, official says More American forces are reaching the Middle East, with a Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines having now arrived in the region, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday. The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, as well as the elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit that are aboard, are based in Japan. They were conducting exercises in the area around Taiwan when the order came to deploy to the Middle East almost two weeks ago. Central Command said that in addition to the Marines, the Tripoli also brings transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault assets to the region. The USS Boxer and two other ships, along with another Marine Expeditionary Unit, have also been ordered to the region from San Diego. Before the arrival of the Marines, the U.S. military had already built up the largest American force in the region in more than 20 years, including two aircraft carriers, several other warships and some 50,000 troops. The USS Gerald R Ford, the nation's newest aircraft carrier, recently left the Middle East for repairs and supplies in Europe after a fire in a laundry room that affected some of the ship's sleeping quarters. WATCH: As more U.S. forces head to Mideast, military experts break down capabilities Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday the United States can meet its objectives "without any ground troops." But he also said Trump "has to be prepared for multiple contingencies" and that American forces are available "to give the president maximum optionality and maximum, opportunity to adjust to contingencies should they emerge." The Saudi base had come under come attack twice earlier in week, including an incident that injured 14 U.S. troops, according to the people, who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. In the other attack, no one was injured but a U.S. aircraft was damaged. The base, which is about 96 kilometers (60 miles) from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, is run by the Royal Saudi Air Force, but also used by U.S. troops. The installation has been targeted almost since the beginning of the war, which on Saturday reached the one-month mark. READ MORE: U.S. soldiers killed in Iran war remembered for their service and devotion to their families Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, was wounded during a March 1 attack on the base and died days later. He is one of the 13 service members who have been killed in the war. Six of the fallen were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port in Kuwait. Another six died when their refueling plane crashed in Iraq following an incident with another aircraft that the U.S. military said was "not due to hostile or friendly fire." The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday regarding the American casualties at the Saudi base. Central Command said Friday that more than 300 service members have been wounded in the war. Most have returned to duty, while 30 remained out of action and 10 were considered seriously wounded. Iran has responded to attacks by the United States and Israel with strikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf Arab states. The war has upended global air travel, disrupted oil exports and caused fuel prices to soar. Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, has exacerbated the economic fallout. READ MORE: U.S. to send around 1,000 troops from Army airborne unit to Mideast, AP source says With the economic repercussions extending far beyond the Middle East, President Donald Trump is under growing pressure to end Iran's chokehold on the strait. The latest attacks on the Saudi air base happened after Trump claimed talks on ending the war were going "very well." Trump said he had given Tehran until April 6 to reopen the strait. Iran says it has not engaged in any negotiations. James Jeffrey, who served as a deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush, said the relatively small number of American deaths and injuries "says great things about our operational and tactical-level use of the military." "It's amazing how low the casualties have been, given the amount of stuff that the Iranians have fired," said Jeffrey, who is now a scholar at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. But Jeffrey said the Islamic Republic's overall goal is not killing American service members. It's inflicting economic pain on U.S. allies and the world. "We have not stopped Iran from its campaign against the Gulf," said Jeffrey, who was U.S. ambassador to Iraq under Bush and a special envoy for Syria in the first Trump administration. "We have not eliminated all of their missiles. And of course, they still have the 400-plus kilograms of highly enriched uranium. It's buried, but still it's there." ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Aamer Madhani, Associated Press By — Samy Magdy, Associated Press Samy Magdy, Associated Press By — Ben Finley, Associated Press Ben Finley, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of American service members wounded in the Iran war has grown beyond 300, with more than two dozen troops injured this week from attacks on a Saudi air base. Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan air base in an attack Friday that injured at least 15 troops, including five seriously, according to two people briefed on the matter. U.S. officials initially reported that at least 10 U.S. troops were injured, including two who were seriously wounded. READ MORE: U.S. troops wounded, planes damaged in Iranian strike on Saudi air base, official says More American forces are reaching the Middle East, with a Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines having now arrived in the region, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday. The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, as well as the elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit that are aboard, are based in Japan. They were conducting exercises in the area around Taiwan when the order came to deploy to the Middle East almost two weeks ago. Central Command said that in addition to the Marines, the Tripoli also brings transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault assets to the region. The USS Boxer and two other ships, along with another Marine Expeditionary Unit, have also been ordered to the region from San Diego. Before the arrival of the Marines, the U.S. military had already built up the largest American force in the region in more than 20 years, including two aircraft carriers, several other warships and some 50,000 troops. The USS Gerald R Ford, the nation's newest aircraft carrier, recently left the Middle East for repairs and supplies in Europe after a fire in a laundry room that affected some of the ship's sleeping quarters. WATCH: As more U.S. forces head to Mideast, military experts break down capabilities Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday the United States can meet its objectives "without any ground troops." But he also said Trump "has to be prepared for multiple contingencies" and that American forces are available "to give the president maximum optionality and maximum, opportunity to adjust to contingencies should they emerge." The Saudi base had come under come attack twice earlier in week, including an incident that injured 14 U.S. troops, according to the people, who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. In the other attack, no one was injured but a U.S. aircraft was damaged. The base, which is about 96 kilometers (60 miles) from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, is run by the Royal Saudi Air Force, but also used by U.S. troops. The installation has been targeted almost since the beginning of the war, which on Saturday reached the one-month mark. READ MORE: U.S. soldiers killed in Iran war remembered for their service and devotion to their families Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, was wounded during a March 1 attack on the base and died days later. He is one of the 13 service members who have been killed in the war. Six of the fallen were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port in Kuwait. Another six died when their refueling plane crashed in Iraq following an incident with another aircraft that the U.S. military said was "not due to hostile or friendly fire." The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Saturday regarding the American casualties at the Saudi base. Central Command said Friday that more than 300 service members have been wounded in the war. Most have returned to duty, while 30 remained out of action and 10 were considered seriously wounded. Iran has responded to attacks by the United States and Israel with strikes against Israel and neighboring Gulf Arab states. The war has upended global air travel, disrupted oil exports and caused fuel prices to soar. Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway, has exacerbated the economic fallout. READ MORE: U.S. to send around 1,000 troops from Army airborne unit to Mideast, AP source says With the economic repercussions extending far beyond the Middle East, President Donald Trump is under growing pressure to end Iran's chokehold on the strait. The latest attacks on the Saudi air base happened after Trump claimed talks on ending the war were going "very well." Trump said he had given Tehran until April 6 to reopen the strait. Iran says it has not engaged in any negotiations. James Jeffrey, who served as a deputy national security adviser to President George W. Bush, said the relatively small number of American deaths and injuries "says great things about our operational and tactical-level use of the military." "It's amazing how low the casualties have been, given the amount of stuff that the Iranians have fired," said Jeffrey, who is now a scholar at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. But Jeffrey said the Islamic Republic's overall goal is not killing American service members. It's inflicting economic pain on U.S. allies and the world. "We have not stopped Iran from its campaign against the Gulf," said Jeffrey, who was U.S. ambassador to Iraq under Bush and a special envoy for Syria in the first Trump administration. "We have not eliminated all of their missiles. And of course, they still have the 400-plus kilograms of highly enriched uranium. It's buried, but still it's there." ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Facts Only
Over 300 U.S. service members have been wounded in the Iran war, with 13 killed.
Iran attacked Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base on Friday with six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, injuring at least 15 U.S. troops, five seriously.
The base, located 60 miles from Riyadh, has been targeted multiple times since the war began one month ago.
The USS Tripoli, carrying 2,500 Marines, has arrived in the Middle East, along with additional ships and troops from San Diego.
The U.S. military has deployed its largest force in the region in over 20 years, including two aircraft carriers and 50,000 troops.
The USS Gerald R. Ford left the Middle East for repairs after a fire in its laundry room.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. can meet its objectives without ground troops but must prepare for contingencies.
Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global oil exports and air travel.
President Trump has given Iran until April 6 to reopen the strait, though Iran denies negotiations.
Iran’s attacks have included strikes on Israel and Gulf Arab states, causing economic fallout.
Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, died from wounds sustained in a March 1 attack on the Saudi base.
Six U.S. troops were killed by an Iranian drone strike on a Kuwaiti port, and six others died in a refueling plane crash in Iraq.
Executive Summary
Full Take
The strongest version of this narrative highlights Iran’s escalating military actions against U.S. and allied forces, framing the conflict as a direct challenge to American influence in the Middle East. The U.S. response—rapid troop deployments and strategic reinforcements—is presented as a measured but firm stance, balancing deterrence with diplomatic pressure. The economic disruption caused by Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz underscores the global stakes, while the relatively low U.S. casualties suggest effective defensive measures. However, the narrative also reveals tensions between Trump’s public optimism about negotiations and Iran’s denial of any talks, creating a disconnect that could undermine credibility.
Pattern scan: The article leans on anonymous sources for casualty figures, which could introduce ambiguity (ARC-0024). The framing of Iran’s actions as primarily economic rather than military may downplay its strategic intent, potentially serving a U.S. narrative of resilience (ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey). The emphasis on Trump’s deadline and Rubio’s statements could reflect an attempt to project control amid uncertainty.
Root cause: The paradigm here is great-power competition, with Iran leveraging asymmetric warfare to counter U.S. military superiority. The unstated assumption is that economic pain will force Iran to negotiate, but history suggests such strategies often prolong conflicts. The echo of past U.S. interventions in the Middle East—where military presence escalated without clear exits—raises questions about mission creep.
Implications: Human agency is constrained by geopolitical forces, with civilians in the region bearing the brunt of economic disruption. The U.S. benefits from projecting strength, but the cost—military strain, economic volatility, and potential escalation—falls on troops and global markets. Second-order effects include eroded trust in U.S. diplomacy if negotiations fail and increased regional instability.
Bridge questions: What would de-escalation look like without conceding strategic ground? How might Iran’s domestic politics influence its willingness to negotiate? What alternative narratives exist about the war’s origins and goals?
Counterstrike scan: A coordinated influence campaign would amplify U.S. casualties, frame Iran as irrational, and push for decisive military action. This article avoids overt manipulation, focusing on verifiable events and official statements. The tone remains factual, though the reliance on anonymous sources warrants scrutiny.