Iran attacks Saudi base, wounds 15 U.S. troops
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- Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base on March 27, injuring at least 15 U.S. troops, five of them seriously.
- U.S. Central Command said more than 300 service members have been wounded in the war, with 30 still out of action and 10 seriously injured.
- USS Tripoli and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit were deployed from Japan to the Middle East, bringing transport and strike fighter aircraft, while the USS Boxer and additional ships were sent from San Diego.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States can meet its objectives “without any ground troops,” but noted President Trump must be ready for “multiple contingencies.”
- Prince Sultan air base, 96 km from Riyadh and used by U.S. troops, has been repeatedly targeted since the war began, which marked its one‑month anniversary on March 28.
- President Donald Trump warned Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by April 6, though Iran says it has not entered negotiations.
Why it matters: The attack raises the cost of the Iran‑U.S. conflict for American forces, adding to the 300‑plus wounded and spurring deployment of additional Marines and ships, while Iran’s pressure on the Strait of Hormuz intensifies economic strain on global oil markets.
