US KC-135 Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq During Iran Operation

A United States military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq while participating in operations linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

Officials confirmed that the aircraft involved in the crash was a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, a refueling plane used by the U.S. Air Force to provide fuel to other military aircraft during missions. Rescue operations were immediately launched after the incident.

According to CENTCOM, two aircraft were involved in the mission. One aircraft landed safely, while the other went down in western Iraq. Military officials said the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, but the exact reason is still under investigation.

Officials said at least five crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. It is still unclear if there were any casualties as search and rescue teams continue their efforts.

CENTCOM said more information will be released once authorities gather verified details. The command also requested patience while officials work to confirm the status of the crew and inform their families.

This crash marks the fourth U.S. military aircraft loss publicly reported during the ongoing military operations connected to the Iran conflict. Last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by friendly fire from Kuwait, although the crew members were able to eject safely and were later recovered in stable condition.

So far, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of seven American service members, while around 140 U.S. troops have been injured, including several who suffered severe wounds.

Six of the troops were killed when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port in Kuwait. They were members of the Army Reserve working in logistics roles that support military operations by supplying troops with food and equipment.

Another U.S. service member later died after being wounded during a March 1 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The current military campaign against Iran began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes. Iran later responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and several Gulf countries hosting American forces.

The KC-135 tanker involved in the latest crash has been a key aircraft for the U.S. military for decades. Based on the design of the Boeing 707 airliner, the tanker entered service more than 60 years ago and has been upgraded multiple times to remain operational.

Despite its age, the aircraft continues to play a critical role in aerial refueling missions for the U.S. Air Force.

Military authorities say investigations into the crash are ongoing, and further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.