Regional tensions reached a critical flashpoint on Friday as an Iranian missile strike on a military base in Saudi Arabia left at least 10 US service members injured.

The attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, which also damaged several US refueling aircraft, marks a significant escalation in the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel, and Gulf Arab states.

According to American officials speaking on condition of anonymity, two of the injured troops are in serious condition. The strike occurred amid a broader wave of Iranian missile launches targeting both Israel and regional military installations.

Early Saturday, fresh sirens blared in northern Israel following new missile fire from Iran, compounding ongoing cross-border attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In response, Israel has signaled plans to expand military operations against Tehran. While US forces have conducted retaliatory strikes, President Donald Trump has temporarily de-escalated his threat to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure.

Despite the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Trump extended the deadline for its reopening to April 6, citing "positive progress" in negotiations—though Tehran has publicly denied engaging in direct talks with Washington.

Meanwhile, violence intensified in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian officials reported three deaths during Israeli raids, including a 22-year-old man in the Qalandiya refugee camp and a 15-year-old boy near Bethlehem.

The Israeli military stated that troops used live fire after being met with stone-throwing and civil unrest. Amidst the volatility, President Trump reiterated his role as a mediator, stating he hopes to be remembered as a "peacemaker" who promoted regional stability.

However, the direct strike on US personnel in Saudi Arabia underscores the increasingly precarious nature of the crisis.

Source: AFP