Iran-US war latest: Twelve US service members injured after strike on Saudi air base as Rubio says war ‘over in weeks’

Iran-US war latest: Twelve US service members injured after strike on Saudi air base as Rubio says war ‘over in weeks’ The attack reportedly involved an Iranian missile and unmanned drones An Iranian missile struck the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia Friday, wounding several US service members. Several US refueling aircraft and 12 service members were injured, several outlets reported. The attack involved an Iranian missile and unmanned drones, the Associated Press reported, citing a US official. The newest escalation comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s latest update on the war suggested the conflict would last “weeks, not months” and Iran had indicated a willingness to talk about “certain things”. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has closed the Strait of Hormuz, adding that any transit through the waterway will face “harsh measures”, according to state media. Rubio raised concerns that Iran could operate the strait using a tolling system if their control over the waterway persisted. He also said that he believed the US could achieve its goals in Iran without ground troops, despite reports from the Wall Street Journal that Donald Trump is considering sending another 10,000 troops to the Middle East, where they could be sent within striking distance of Kharg Island, a key oil export hub off in the Persian Gulf. Iran war could end in 'weeks, not months', Rubio says The US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Friday that the ongoing military operations against Iran could end within "weeks, not months", adding that Washington could meet its objectives without deploying ground troops. However, Rubio said the US was deploying ground troops to the region "to give the president maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust the contingencies, should they emerge." He told reporters after meeting G7 counterparts in France that Washington was "on or ahead of schedule in that operation, and expect to conclude it at the appropriate time here - a matter of weeks, not months." Trump threatens to cut Nato support as allies decline to join Iran war American president Donald Trump cast doubt on US commitment to Nato after several countries part of the military alliance refused to join the ongoing war against Iran. "Nato wasn’t there for us. We send billions of dollars to them every year to protect them," Trump said at a business conference yesterday. "We would have always been there for them. But based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be, do we? Why would we be there for them if they’re not there for us?" the American president said. Three killed by Israeli forces in West Bank: report Three people have been killed by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, the Associated Press reported, citing the Palestinian Health Ministry. Two men were killed when the Israeli forces raided the Qalandiya refugee camp area in two separate recent incidents, according to the health ministry. A 15-year-old boy was also recently killed during a raid on the Dheisheh refugee camp, the ministry said. The Israeli military said in a statement shared by the AP that “violent disturbances” happened in two incidents in the Qalandiya area, and troops responded with live fire toward “key instigators.” Explosions heard in Damascus as Israel intercepts Iranian missiles over Syria Explosions were heard over the Syrian capital Damascus early on Saturday as Israeli air defence systems intercepted missiles from Iran over Syria, according to Syrian state television. No casualties have been mentioned so far by Syrian officials. Bahrain urges citizens to take cover in 'nearest safe place' Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has issued two public notices in the past hour urging its citizens and residents to take cover in the "nearest safe place". "The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the ministry posted on X. The warnings come after authorities reported a fire at an unidentified facility targeted in an earlier Iranian attack. Trump says he wants to be remembered as a 'great peacemaker' amid Iran war US President Donald Trump has said he wants to be remembered as a “great peacemaker,” despite starting a major military conflict in the already warring Middle East. Trump claimed he has settled eight wars, which is an exaggeration, during an appearance at the Future Investment Initiative summit in Miami, Friday evening local time. “I would love my legacy to be made as a great peacemaker,” the president said. CENTCOM shares photos of military equipment in 'Operation Epic Fury' US Central Command has shared photos of military equipment used in its military campaign against Iran, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” US-Iran war in numbers: Thousands dead, billions spent and a global economy in crisis The US-Israeli war with Iran has thrown the region into chaos, killing thousands of people, costing billions of dollars, and sending energy prices to their highest levels since the invasion of Ukraine. As the conflict enters its second month, more than 4,500 people have lost their lives, according to reports from more than a dozen countries dragged into the war since February 28. Still, there are no signs of the war winding down, as Tehran continues to choke global trade with its grip on the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. reportedly prepares to send an additional 10,000 troops to the region. Read more from James C. Reynolds... US-Iran war in numbers: Thousands dead, billions spent, and global economy in crisis Iran says Israel hit two of its largest steel plants: report Israel has hit two of Iran’s largest steel plants, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday night local time, citing Iranian state media and the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Mobarakeh Steel in Isfahan and Khuzestan Steel in Ahvaz were reportedly targeted. Earlier Friday, the WSJ reported that the Israeli military confirmed it hit two Iranian nuclear sites — the heavy-water plant at Khondab and the Shahid Rezayee Nejad Yellow Cake Production Facility. New US aircraft carrier to be deployed amid Iran war: report The USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier is set to be deployed amid the Iran war, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The aircraft carrier will be positioned in the US Central Command’s area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East, the source said. CNN reported that there are two other US aircraft carriers already in the region. It’s unclear whether the USS George H.W. Bush will be in addition to the other aircraft carriers or replace one of the vessels. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks