US soldier dies after Iran attack on air base in Saudi Arabia: Pentagon

WASHINGTON

The Pentagon on Monday identified a US service member who was killed during operations in the Middle East.

Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, 26, died on March 8 from injuries sustained during an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1, the Pentagon said in a statement. He was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The statement noted the attack followed a series of US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls and senior military officials.

Iran retaliated with barrages targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel in the region.
A total of eight US service members have been killed amid the ongoing conflict.