The aircraft, believed to be KC-135 Stratotankers, were struck while parked on the ground at the base near Riyadh, a major hub for US refueling missions supporting strikes on Iran.
BY PC Bureau
March 14, 2026: Five US Air Force aerial refueling aircraft were damaged in an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The aircraft — believed to be Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tankers — were struck while parked on the ground during the attack. Officials said the planes sustained damage but were not destroyed. No personnel were killed or injured, and repairs are underway.
The base, located about 100 kilometres southeast of Riyadh, has been a key hub for US aerial refueling missions since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
Prince Sultan Air Base hosts dozens of tanker aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus planes, which enable US fighters and bombers to conduct long-range strikes inside Iran.
BREAKING: 5 US Air Force refueling planes (worth a combined $300 MILLION) were bombed and damaged at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.#IranWar pic.twitter.com/T0Px6fy21I
— Alice Williams (@afreegirlll) March 14, 2026
The missile strike is part of a broader wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting US and allied facilities across the Middle East following sustained American and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and infrastructure targets.
The report cited two US officials familiar with the matter who said the attack underscores the vulnerability of ground-based aircraft to Iran’s expanding arsenal of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
READ: US Bombs Iran’s Kharg Island As War Widens Across Middle East
The incident also follows the crash of another KC-135 Stratotanker in western Iraq on March 12, which killed all six crew members. Officials said the crash was not caused by hostile fire.
With the latest strike, at least seven US refueling aircraft have been affected since the conflict began.
The United States Central Command has not yet officially confirmed the damage at Prince Sultan Air Base. However, the Pentagon has acknowledged operational challenges and has reportedly relocated some tanker aircraft from Gulf bases to facilities in Europe to reduce exposure to Iranian strikes.
Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have claimed responsibility for several attacks on US positions in Saudi Arabia, describing them as retaliation for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, oil infrastructure — including Kharg Island — and military command centres.
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry has said its air defences intercepted multiple missiles and drones targeting the kingdom, including projectiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base and surrounding areas.
Military analysts say damage to tanker aircraft could complicate US air operations, as aerial refueling is critical for sustaining long-range missions over Iran without relying on forward bases.
The conflict, now entering its third week, has already caused heavy casualties. The United States has reported 13 military deaths, including personnel killed in non-combat incidents, while Iranian authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed in coalition strikes.
Regional tensions remain high as Gulf states hosting US forces strengthen air defences amid fears that the war could spread further across the Middle East.
