Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, twelve United States troops were wounded in an Iranian military strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Among the injured, two service members were seriously injured. Since the beginning of the conflict on February 28, more than 300 US military service members have been wounded, a spokesperson for the US Central Command stated.

One Person Killed In Tel Aviv

Earlier on Friday, the US military ⁠said 273 of them had already returned to duty. Thirteen US troops have been killed in ⁠the conflict. In another Iranian strikes in Israel, one person was killed and several others injured as a result of impacts in Tel Aviv, ambulance service Magen David Adom said.

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Rubio Says Tehran Will Be 'Weaker' In Weeks

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States can accomplish its military objectives in the war against Iran "without any ground troops". His remark comes amid reports that Washington is considering sending additional ground troops to West Asia despite the talks with Iran.

Speaking to reporters following the Foreign Ministers meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) here, Rubio said that the US would destroy all military capabilities of the Islamic Republic to keep Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapons. "We're going to destroy their navy, we are going to destroy their air force, and we are going to significantly destroy their missile launchers, so they can never hide behind these things to get a nuclear weapon," Rubio said.

Trump Says Middle East Is Closer To Being 'Free'

The conflict, which is in its fourth week, is seeing rapid developments. Earlier, there were reports that negotiations are underway between the US and Iran for a possible ceasefire; however, Tehran rejected it. Earlier on Friday, US President Donald Trump emphasised that the Middle East is closer than ever to being "finally free" from what he described as Iranian terror and nuclear coercion.

Addressing the Future Investment Initiative Priority Summit in Florida, Trump said, "Tonight, we're closer than ever to the rise of the Middle East that is finally free at last from Iranian terror and nuclear blackmail."

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