Trump says 4 Air Force refueling planes are ‘back in service’ after harm from Iranian strike in Saudi Arabia | EUROtoday

President Donald Trump mentioned 4 U.S. Air Force tanker planes are “back in service” following experiences of harm from an Iranian strike in Saudi Arabia.

Five Air Force refueling planes had been broken, however not utterly destroyed, in an Iranian missile strike at Prince Sultan air base in current days, The Wall Street Journal first reported. No one was killed, and officers had been working to restore the tankers, the outlet’s sources mentioned.

In a Saturday morning Truth Social submit, Trump responded to experiences concerning the 5 planes and railed in opposition to the “Fake News Media” for its persevering with protection of the U.S.-Israel battle 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 broken or destroyed amid the continuing battle, in keeping with the Journal.

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The Independent has requested remark from U.S. Central Command, which covers an space of accountability that features the Middle East and central Asia. The Pentagon declined to remark.

News of the strike in Saudi Arabia adopted the announcement that every one six crew members on a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft had been killed after the plane crashed over pleasant 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 mentioned Friday.

At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed for the reason that battle started February 28.

At least 140 others had been injured over the primary 10 days of the marketing campaign, in keeping with Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. At least 108 service members have returned to responsibility, and eight stay listed as “severely injured,” protection officers informed The Independent.

Recent polling has discovered that many Americans oppose the Iran battle. An NPR/PBS News/Marist ballot performed this month discovered that 56 p.c of individuals mentioned they’re in opposition to the Trump administration’s army marketing campaign.

A Quinnipiac University survey launched Monday equally discovered that 53 p.c of voters oppose army motion in opposition to Iran, and 74 p.c are in opposition to sending in floor troops.

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Meanwhile, Trump introduced Friday that the U.S. “totally obliterated” each army goal 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 mentioned Saturday that “Many Countries” are sending “War Ships” to make sure the strait stays “open and safe.” together with U.S. operations there.

It’s unclear when the battle, which is getting into its third week, would possibly come to an finish. When Fox News host Brian Kilmeade requested Trump how he’ll know the battle is over, the president replied: “When I feel it — feel it in my bones.”