Survivors of the deadliest Iranian strike on US forces since 2021 have challenged the Pentagon's account of the incident, telling CBS News their unit in Kuwait was “unprepared” and inadequately defended when a drone attack killed six service members and injured over 20.
In their first public remarks, soldiers from the Army's 103rd Sustainment Command described the March 1 attack at Port of Shuaiba as a direct hit on a lightly protected facility, contradicting earlier statements by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who characterised the strike as a drone that squeaked through defences at a fortified site.
“Painting a picture that ‘one squeaked through' is a falsehood,” one injured soldier told the news channel. “I want people to know the unit … was unprepared to provide any defense for itself. It was not a fortified position.”
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According to CBS News, troops had briefly taken cover earlier that morning following missile alerts, but an all-clear signal was issued shortly before the strike. Around 30 minutes later, a drone believed to be part of Iran's expanding arsenal, struck the compound, triggering widespread destruction.
“Everything shook,” one soldier recalled. “It's something like what you see in the movies. Your ears are ringing… there's dust and smoke everywhere.”
The aftermath, they said, included “head wounds, heavy bleeding… and shrapnel all over.”
The attack, which killed six personnel, marked a significant escalation in the conflict involving Iran. Survivors described chaotic rescue efforts, with injured troops administering first aid themselves and using civilian vehicles to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
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Several troops also questioned the decision to relocate their unit closer to a known threat zone. While many US soldiers were repositioned away from danger, the logistics unit was moved to a base within range of Iranian drones and missiles.
“We moved closer to Iran, to a deeply unsafe area that was a known target,” one soldier said, adding that the site had “none” of the necessary drone defence capabilities.
CBS News reported that Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment, citing an ongoing investigation. However, Assistant Defense Secretary Sean Parnell maintained in a post on X that “every possible measure has been taken to safeguard our troops,” noting the facility had protective barriers.
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