A US military refuelling aircraft has crashed in Iraq after a suspected mid-air collision, triggering an urgent search and rescue mission for the crew on board.
The incident involved two Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker planes operating in what officials described as “friendly airspace” during Operation Epic Fury, according to United States Central Command.
One of the aircraft went down with at least five crew members on board, while the second KC-135 landed safely.
US Central Command confirmed that a rescue effort is currently underway to locate those on the crashed aircraft.
“The loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile or friendly fire,” Centcom said in a statement, urging patience while investigators gather more information.
However, shortly after the crash, the Iran-aligned militant group Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility, stating it had downed the refuelling plane “in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace”.
US officials have not supported that claim.
The crash marks the fourth publicly acknowledged aircraft loss linked to the United States’ military campaign against Iran, as tensions across the region continue to escalate.
Just last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by friendly fire from Kuwait. The aircraft involved were F-15E Strike Eagle jets.
All six crew members managed to eject safely and were later recovered in stable condition.
The growing conflict has already taken a heavy toll on US forces. According to the United States Department of Defense, seven American service members have been killed in combat so far, while around 140 troops have been injured, including eight who suffered severe wounds.
Six of the fallen soldiers were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations centre at a civilian port in Kuwait. The troops, members of the Army Reserve, were part of a logistics unit responsible for keeping frontline forces supplied with food and equipment.
Their deaths came just one day after the United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran on February 28.
Iran has since retaliated with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab nations hosting US military bases.
The seventh American service member died after being wounded during a March 1 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
As the conflict intensifies, US leaders have warned the human cost may continue to rise.
Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have both cautioned that more American lives could be lost before the war ends.
Trump personally joined grieving families during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, where the remains of the first six fallen soldiers were returned to the United States.
Later this week, JD Vance, along with Hegseth and senior officials, stood in solemn tribute as the seventh flag-draped transfer case arrived at Dover.
Meanwhile, the search continues in Iraq for those aboard the downed refuelling aircraft, as the wider conflict shows little sign of slowing.
