A U.S. service member spoke to CBS News about the deadly Iranian drone strike that hit an American command post at the Port of Shuaiba on the first day of hostilities, describing the blast and the chaotic, grisly aftermath. CBS obtained video from the scene for the first time. The attack killed six U.S. service members and wounded many others.
The soldier, who spoke without military permission with his identity concealed and his voice altered, said the explosion knocked him to the ground. He described ringing ears, blurred vision, dizziness and a scene full of dust and smoke. After checking himself and grabbing his helmet, he turned to help teammates and immediately found a comrade with head and neck trauma. Although training advises against moving such casualties, flames and the danger of follow‑on strikes forced urgent choices.
Medical support at Shuaiba was limited, the survivor said, so soldiers treated and evacuated themselves, driving to a hospital for care. He detailed a range of injuries: severe bleeding, head wounds, shrapnel wounds, perforated eardrums and hearing loss, shattered or blown‑off glasses, loss of sight in one eye for some, and persistent balance problems. He also described abdominal, arm and leg wounds and said the blast’s concussive force caused internal injuries even when there was little or no external bleeding.
He singled out a colleague identified as Sergeant Amor, who showed no obvious shrapnel injuries but was badly harmed by the blast’s force. She arrived with both eyes bruised, struggling to breathe; the survivor said it appeared her lungs were filling with blood and that she required immediate medical attention.
The soldier recounted the emotional toll: he still sees the faces of those who died, some of whom he helped carry to identification and to the locations where they were pronounced dead. At the same time, he praised junior soldiers who quickly sprang into action, carrying the wounded and helping evacuate peers. “There are some real heroes at the Port of Shuaiba,” he said.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the individual claims because of an ongoing investigation. The Defense Department has previously stated that every possible measure was taken to protect U.S. forces. The wounded have been evacuated back to the United States, and some face injuries that may be permanent.