Five US Military Tanker Aircraft at Saudi Base Hit by Iranian Missiles

Five US Air Force refuelling aircraft (tanker planes) suffered damage in an attack whilst stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The report, released by the Wall Street Journal on Friday, 13 March 2026, cited statements from two US official sources. The incident occurred during a wave of Iranian missile strikes targeting military bases throughout the Saudi region in recent days.

Previously, US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged that a US KC-135 tanker aircraft crashed in western Iraq. CENTCOM denied that the military aircraft had crashed due to Iranian attack or friendly fire. Conversely, Iranian fighter forces claimed the aircraft went down after they fired upon it.

CENTCOM stated that all six crew members of the US KC-135 tanker aircraft had been confirmed dead. This figure adds to the growing number of US military personnel killed in operations related to Iran.

The identities of the deceased personnel and their families may be disclosed, according to CENTCOM. This aircraft marks the fourth US plane lost since the United States and Israel commenced strikes against Iran on 28 February.