All six crew members of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft have been confirmed dead following a crash over western Iraq on March 3, 2026. The U.S. Central Command reported that the incident is currently under investigation, noting that it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.
The identities of the deceased crew members will be withheld until at least 24 hours after notifying their next of kin. Central Command previously mentioned that two aircraft were involved in the event, with the second successfully landing.
The incident occurred in what is described as friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, a military campaign against Iran, which has seen retaliatory actions from Tehran across the Middle East.
In a controversial development, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq-a militia group supported by Iran-claimed responsibility for the downing of the KC-135 through a statement on their Telegram channel. This marks the fourth reported loss of U.S. aircraft since the onset of the conflict in Iran, following earlier incidents where three F-15 fighters were lost due to friendly fire from Kuwait’s air defenses.
The KC-135, a military tanker that was valued at approximately $39.6 million in 1998, plays a crucial role in aerial refueling operations for U.S. and allied aircraft. The loss of this aircraft raises concerns about the safety and viability of U.S. operations in the region.
The incident coincides with comments from former President Donald Trump, who hinted at a protracted war. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump asserted that the U.S. possesses “unparalleled firepower” and called on followers to “watch what happens” regarding the Iranian regime.
Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, responded by declaring that Tehran would ensure the U.S. “regrets” its decision to initiate the conflict. In a post on X, Larijani criticized Trump’s notion of a quick victory in the war, emphasizing that true success cannot be achieved through social media proclamations.
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated that the Strait of Hormuz should remain a point of leverage against the U.S., warning that military bases in the Middle East are at risk if they do not close immediately.
Despite Trump’s claims of a swift victory in Iran and assertions that “we won,” tensions continue to escalate, with more foreign vessels reportedly targeted in the Persian Gulf on the same day. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari indicated that oil prices could surge to $200 a barrel, attributing this potential rise to U.S. actions that destabilize regional security.
The situation remains fluid as investigations into the aircraft crash continue, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Iranian conflict evolve. As developments unfold, the international community watches closely for further implications in a region marked by increasing volatility.
— CNBC’s Sam Meredith and Holly Ellyatt contributed to this report.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/13/us-kc135-crash-iraq-iran-threats-shipping-attacks.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-13 20:34:00
