A US military refuelling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during the ongoing conflict with Iran, raising fears that several servicemen may have died.
The incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign being carried out by the United States in the region. According to United States Central Command, the aircraft involved was a Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker used to refuel other military planes during operations.
Officials said the aircraft went down after an incident involving two aircraft operating in friendly airspace, and there were no reports of hostile fire linked to the crash. The tanker came down in western Iraq, though authorities have not yet confirmed the status of the crew on board. The crash comes amid intensifying tensions across the Middle East following continued strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets.
US President Donald Trump has vowed to continue military action against Iran, describing the country as an “evil empire” and insisting that Washington will prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. In a statement posted on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States remained committed to stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and destabilising the region.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces announced that it had recently struck the Taleghan compound, which Israel claims was being used to develop critical capabilities related to nuclear weapons. The conflict has also driven global energy market volatility, with oil prices again approaching $100 per barrel amid renewed attacks on cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has outlined conditions for ending the conflict, saying hostilities could stop if Iran’s “legitimate rights” were recognised, reparations were paid, and guarantees were provided against future attacks. However, he noted that ultimate authority rests with Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Tensions remain high in the Gulf region, where multiple vessels have been struck near the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, including tankers near Iraq and another off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the widening impact of the conflict on global shipping and energy supplies.