Verified pictures show a US command and control aircraft has been destroyed at an air base in Saudi Arabia. The images appear to have been first shared by a Facebook page carrying US military news and depict the E-3 Sentry aircraft appearing to be split in two.
The photos have been confirmed as being taken at the Prince Sultan air base, located about 100 km (62 miles) south-east of Riyadh, with features like pylons and storage units matching satellite imagery. US Central Command has not yet publicly commented on the incident, although the BBC has inquired for a statement.
Reports indicate that 12 US personnel were injured during an Iranian military attack on the base, with at least two individuals seriously harmed. Following the incident, Iran's IRGC-linked Fars news agency stated that a Shahed drone had targeted the E-3 aircraft.
Satellite imagery previously captured on March 11 confirmed the presence of an E-3 at the same location. The aircraft's tail number has been tracked via flight-tracking site Flightradar24, where it was seen airborne near the base on March 18.
A satellite image taken after the attack appears to show a fire on the base apron, although it remains unclear if this was a part of the same incident where significant damage to the aircraft occurred.
The Boeing E-3 Sentry, which is based on a Boeing 707, is equipped with a distinctive rotating radar disc mounted on its fuselage, enabling it to detect and track potential threats during combat operations. This aircraft has been a crucial asset for the US Air Force, providing information essential for commanding air operations since it first entered service in 1977.
