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Satellite imagery has revealed a rise in military support aircraft, including refuelling tankers, at a Saudi airbase used by the US military during a four-day period in February.
This increase, observed over four days, coincided with Washington’s regional force build-up amidst tensions with Iran.
At Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Airbase, a facility which has hosted US forces for decades, a high-resolution satellite image from 21 February showed at least 43 aircraft.
This marked a significant increase from the 27 aircraft visible in an image taken on 17 February. The number subsequently dropped to 38 in a further image by 25 February.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia, a longstanding US ally, informed Iran last month it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Tehran.
Iran simultaneously held indirect negotiations with Washington over its nuclear programme.
Planes include Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers
The aircraft in the 21 February image included 13 Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers and six Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft known as AWACS, among a total of 29 large, swept-wing aircraft parked at the base, William Goodhind, a forensic imagery analyst with Contested Ground, told Reuters.
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A combination picture of satellite images show planes at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on February 17, 2026 (top), and on February 21, 2026 (via REUTERS)
In the 17 February, medium-resolution image, 11 large, swept-wing aircraft were visible, according to a Reuters tally.
Asked for comment, the Pentagon said it had “nothing to provide”. The US military does not usually comment on force movements.
The Saudi government’s media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Oman, which is mediating between the United States and Iran, said the sides made progress in talks on Thursday, though there was no sign of a breakthrough that could avert potential US strikes.
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said on Thursday the sides plan to resume negotiations soon after consultations in their countries’ capitals, with technical-level discussions scheduled to take place next week in Vienna.
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The aircraft in the February 21 image included 13 Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers and six Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft known as AWACS, among a total of 29 large, swept-wing aircraft parked at the base, William Goodhind, a forensic imagery analyst with Contested Ground (via REUTERS)
US President Donald Trump said on 19 February that Iran must make a deal in 10 to 15 days, warning that “really bad things” would otherwise happen.
A comparison of satellite imagery in early February with those taken in January also showed a build-up of aircraft and other military equipment across the region.
Recent satellite images have also shown Iran repairing and fortifying sites, including a sensitive military site reportedly bombed by Israel in 2024.
