Satellite images show increase in U.S. aircraft at Saudi airbase
Satellite images showed a rise in the number of U.S. military aircraft, including refuelling tankers, at a Saudi airbase during a four-day period in February, as Washington built forces in the region amid tensions with Iran.
Saudi Arabia, a longstanding U.S. ally, told Iran last month it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Tehran, which held indirect negotiations with Washington on Thursday over its nuclear program.
In a high-resolution satellite image taken on February 21, at least 43 aircraft were visible at Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Airbase – which has hosted U.S. forces for decades – compared with 27 aircraft visible in a February 17 image.
The number dropped to 38 in a February 25 image.