Iranian Strike On U.S. Base In Kuwait Reportedly More Severe Than Previously Known, With Dozens Still Hospitalized

The Iranian strike on a U.S. military base in Kuwait was more severe than previously known, according to a new report, with dozens of military members still hospitalized more than a week later. Six others died in the attack.

CBS News detailed that injuries include brain trauma, shrapnel wounds and burns, and at least one service member could have a limb amputated as a result of the strike.

Citing sources familiar with the incident, the outlet detailed that smoke quickly filled the tactical operations center at the Shuaiba port, making it difficult to rescue those trapped inside. More than 35 service members had to be evacuated to medical facilities in the U.S. or Germany to receive treatment.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the development last week, saying that while defenses intercept most attacks, "every once in a while, you might have one, unfortunately, we call it a squirter, that makes its way through."

"And in that particular case, it happened to hit a tactical operations center that was fortified, but these are powerful weapons," Hegseth added.

However, the outlet also reported that military officials had questioned whether the base was adequately fortified. They claimed that the the operations center was a triple-wide trailer turned into office space.

The fortifications, the official said, were 12-foot tall concrete barriers reinforced with steel. While they can protect personnel from explosions and rockets, they are weak against an overhead strike. Other officials said the strike appeared to fully hit the top of the building. It appeared to be a Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drone.

Given the outcome, they said, there were discussions about the need of having operations center there because there were too many troops in a place that couldn't be properly defended. In fact, two of the three officials said they did not recall hearing the warning sirens that let people know about an incoming threat. The outlet noted that there were no counter-attacks.

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said about 140 U.S. service members had been injured so far in the war. "The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty. Eight service members remain listed as severely injured and are receiving the highest level of medical care," he said in a statement.