The US military has confirmed the deaths of all six crew members aboard a KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. While US Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated the incident was an accident involving another aircraft—not the result of hostile or friendly fire—Iran-backed factions and Iranian state-aligned media are claiming responsibility for shooting the plane down.
The incident marks a significant escalation in US casualties, bringing the total number of American service members killed since the start of operations against Iran on February 28 to 13. The deaths come amid a volatile operational environment, with Reuters reporting that as many as 150 US troops have already been wounded in the conflict.
Conflicting Accounts:
- US Official Position: A US official told Reuters that the second aircraft involved in the incident, which landed safely, was also a KC-135. CENTCOM has launched an investigation but insists the crash was not caused by enemy fire.
- Iran-Aligned Claims: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft. Furthermore, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters was cited by Al Mayadeen English as stating that Iranian air defence systems deliberately targeted and shot down the plane.
The KC-135, a Boeing-built tanker from the 1950s and 60s, is a critical asset for the US military, enabling long-range missions by refuelling aircraft in flight. The crash highlights the high operational tempo and inherent risks in the region, even during non-combat sorties.
The news coincided with two other incidents involving US forces: two sailors were injured in a non-combat fire aboard the USS Gerald Ford, and a previous drone strike on a US facility in Kuwait had already claimed the first seven American lives in this conflict. President Donald Trump and senior officials have previously warned that retaliatory actions by Tehran would likely result in further US military casualties.
