$700 million blow! Iran claims strike on US base

The war in the Middle East appears to have moved into an even more dangerous phase after Iran claimed it struck a US-operated air base in Saudi Arabia. According to the reports, the attack targeted Prince Sultan Air Base and damaged key military assets, including a high-value surveillance aircraft. The most striking detail in the claims was that the target included a Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, described as being worth around $700 million.

Prince Sultan Air Base was the alleged target

Iran said it launched a missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, where US forces are stationed in Saudi Arabia. Iranian media reports said the strike hit critical military assets inside the base.

According to the reports, a Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft was among those hit, along with multiple refuelling planes.

The $700 million aircraft claim drew attention

One of the most talked-about details after the reported strike was the value of the aircraft that was allegedly hit. Reports said replacing the damaged E-3 Sentry could cost the United States more than $700 million.

The E-3 AWACS is known as a flying radar and airborne command platform used to detect threats across large areas and direct air operations.

US personnel were reportedly injured

According to the reports, 12 US soldiers were injured in the attack. Two of them were said to be in serious condition, while the others were reported to have suffered lighter injuries.

Other accounts claimed the number of injured personnel could be higher, with around 15 American service members hurt and five of them in critical condition.

Missiles and drones were both reportedly used

The reports said the base was not only hit by ballistic missiles but also by drones. According to the claims, the attack involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones.

It was also reported that at least one KC135 air refuelling aircraft was hit and caught fire during the strike.

Extent of damage became a major talking point

Images circulated after the reported attack drew attention to the alleged scale of the damage. In one image, the midsection of the aircraft was said to be completely destroyed. In another, the tail section appeared to be cut off, with the aircraft down on the runway and debris scattered around it.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was also reported to have shared an image of the damaged aircraft with an ironic comment saying it had suffered only minor damage.

Why Prince Sultan Air Base matters

Prince Sultan Air Base is located in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj Governorate, about 80 kilometres southeast of Riyadh. It is considered one of the key bases for the American military presence in the region.

The AWACS aircraft stationed there play a critical role in detecting air threats and coordinating US air operations.

Questions over the size of the US E-3 fleet

The reported strike also renewed attention on the size of the US E-3 Sentry fleet. While the US Air Force website lists 31 E-3 aircraft, recent reports suggested the active fleet may now be closer to 16 aircraft.

That is why the reported damage to one of these aircraft is being seen as significant not only financially but also operationally.

Cost of the war may rise further

The reports also recalled that in the first three weeks of the Iran war, the United States was said to have lost 10 warplanes and dozens of drones, with repair and replacement costs estimated between $1.4 billion and $2.9 billion.

The reported strike at Prince Sultan Air Base is now being seen as another development that could push that cost even higher.