President Donald Trump said four U.S. Air Force tanker planes are “back in service” following reports of damage from an Iranian strike in Saudi Arabia.
Five Air Force refueling planes were damaged, but not completely destroyed, in an Iranian missile strike at Prince Sultan air base in recent days, The Wall Street Journal first reported. No one was killed, and officials were working to repair the tankers, the outlet’s sources said.
In a Saturday morning Truth Social post, Trump responded to reports about the five planes and railed against the “Fake News Media” for its continuing coverage of the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.
“In actuality, the Base was hit a few days ago, but the planes were not ‘struck’ or ‘destroyed,’” he wrote. “Four of the five had virtually no damage, and are already back in service. One had slightly more damage, but will be in the air shortly.”
At least seven Air Force refueling planes have been damaged or destroyed amid the ongoing conflict, according to the Journal.
The Independent has requested comment from U.S. Central Command, which covers an area of responsibility that includes the Middle East and central Asia. The Pentagon declined to comment.
News of the strike in Saudi Arabia followed the announcement that all six crew members on a U.S. KC-135 refueling plane were killed after the aircraft crashed over friendly airspace in western Iran on Thursday.
“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” U.S. Central Command said Friday.
At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed since the conflict began February 28.
At least 140 others were injured over the first 10 days of the campaign, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. At least 108 service members have returned to duty, and eight remain listed as “severely injured,” defense officials told The Independent.
Recent polling has found that many Americans oppose the Iran war. An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll conducted this month found that 56 percent of people said they’re against the Trump administration’s military campaign.
A Quinnipiac University survey released Monday similarly found that 53 percent of voters oppose military action against Iran, and 74 percent are against sending in ground troops.
Meanwhile, Trump announced Friday that the U.S. “totally obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, a key export hub.
“Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he added.
The president said Saturday that “Many Countries” are sending “War Ships” to ensure the strait remains “open and safe.” in conjunction with U.S. operations there.
It’s unclear when the conflict, which is entering its third week, might come to an end. When Fox News host Brian Kilmeade asked Trump how he’ll know the war is over, the president replied: “When I feel it — feel it in my bones.”
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