Iran escalates Gulf confrontation by targeting AWACS and refuelers
Since the US-Israel campaign against Iran began, Tehran has stepped up attacks on US assets in the Gulf, including strikes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait that reportedly damaged KC-135 tankers and an E-3 AWACS, wounded US service members, and targeted radar and THAAD facilities; analysts warn the loss of AWACS would create surveillance gaps while the US seeks replacements like the E-7 Wedgetail; the flare-up has boosted oil prices and raised concerns of broader operations.
