U.S. President Donald Trump said reports claiming that five U.S. tanker aircraft were destroyed during an attack on a military base in Saudi Arabia are incorrect.
In a statement, Trump said the base had been hit several days earlier, but the aircraft were not struck or destroyed as reported in some media coverage.
According to the president, four of the five tanker aircraft sustained little to no damage and have already returned to service, while the fifth aircraft suffered slightly more damage but is expected to return to operation soon.
Trump criticized several media outlets, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, accusing them of publishing misleading headlines about the incident.
The clarification comes amid ongoing military operations in the region and heightened attention to attacks on U.S. and allied bases, where aerial refueling aircraft play a critical role in supporting air operations.
