TEHRAN, Mar 28 (V7N) – The conflict in the Middle East reached a new peak of intensity on Friday as Iran launched a coordinated missile and drone strike on a major U.S. military hub in Saudi Arabia, while Israel expanded its air campaign to include high-value nuclear and research infrastructure in the heart of Iran.

Attack on Prince Sultan Air Base

U.S. officials confirmed to Reuters and CBS News that at least 10 to 12 American service members were injured during a sophisticated Iranian assault on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, March 27.

  • Casualties: Two soldiers are reportedly in critical condition. This brings the total number of U.S. troops wounded since the war began on February 28 to over 300, though the Pentagon noted that approximately 273 have already returned to duty. To date, 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict.

  • Tactics: The attack involved a mix of ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones. Preliminary reports indicate significant damage to several U.S. Air Force assets, including refueling aircraft and an E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane.

Israel Targets Nuclear and Research Hubs

Simultaneously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched what they described as an "escalated and expanded" phase of Operation Epic Fury, striking deep into Iranian territory.

  • Khondab Water Research Center: A major strike targeted the heavy water research reactor at Khondab (Arak). Iranian state media (IRNA) confirmed the facility was hit in two stages but claimed there were no casualties or radioactive leaks.

  • Uranium and Steel Plants: The IDF also confirmed strikes on the Ardakan Yellowcake Production Plant in Yazd and two major industrial sites—Khuzestan Steel and Mobarakeh Steel—to disrupt Iran's military manufacturing supply chain.

Retaliation in Tel Aviv and the West Bank

In response to the hits on its nuclear sites, Iran fired several rounds of missiles toward central and southern Israel late Friday and early Saturday.

  • Tel Aviv: A missile impact in the city killed one man and injured at least four others. Emergency responders reported that a residential building was struck by a missile carrying cluster munitions, causing widespread shrapnel damage to nearby shops and vehicles.

  • Regional Alarm: Sirens were also activated across Jerusalem and Hebron in the West Bank. While most projectiles were intercepted by the Arrow and David’s Sling defense systems, the sheer volume of the barrages has kept the Israeli civilian population in shelters for extended periods.

Diplomatic Standoff

The escalation comes despite President Donald Trump stating on Truth Social that ceasefire talks are "going very well." However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi virtually addressed the UN Human Rights Council, accusing the U.S. and Israel of "intent to commit genocide" and formally rejecting the 15-point U.S. proposal, which requires Iran to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz.

With the U.S. considering the deployment of an additional 10,000 ground troops to the region, the war shows no signs of the "short duration" previously predicted by Washington officials.

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