All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft have been confirmed dead following a crash in western Iraq on Thursday, the U.S. Central Command announced.
The aircraft, tasked with mid-air refueling during Operation Epic Fury, went down while flying over friendly airspace. “All six crew members aboard the aircraft are now confirmed deceased,” the Command posted on X.
“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile or friendly fire.”
The identities of the victims remain withheld pending notification of next of kin.
While the U.S. insists the plane was not brought down, an Iran-linked Iraqi militant group has claimed responsibility for shooting it down, escalating tensions amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, now in its 14th day.
The KC-135, a mainstay of U.S. air operations, provides critical mid-air refueling for fighter jets engaged in missions over conflict zones. Its loss represents a major operational setback, according to military analysts.
The crash comes as the war displaces millions in Iran and heightens regional instability. Reports indicate that over 3.2 million people have fled their homes since the conflict escalated earlier this month.
The U.S. military is continuing its investigation into the crash, emphasizing that the incident occurred under non-hostile conditions. Further details are expected following official briefings.
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