CENTCOM confirms losing US KC-135 refueling aircraft amid Iran war

2026-03-13 - 04:54

DUBAI – The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq. CENTCOM said one plane was lost while another landed safely, and rescue operations are underway. The incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, which was launched by the US on February 28 against Iran. US media reported that six personnel were on board the downed aircraft. Centcom’s Official Statement “US Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely,” read a post shared on X. U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the... — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026 Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatm al-Anbiya Central Headquarters claimed that Iraq’s resistance forces shot down the plane and that all personnel on board were killed. On the other hand, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned Strait of Hormuz must stay closed and American bases are targets, vowing vengeance for every life lost to foreign powers. In dramatic first public statement since assuming power, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei sent shockwaves across the globe, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as a “tool of pressure” against the West. Khamenei also issued chilling warning, all U.S. military bases in the region are targets and would face attack if necessary. On the social media platform X, Mojtaba vowed relentless retribution for every Iranian killed by foreign powers. “We will not forgo vengeance for the blood of our martyrs,” Khamenei declared. “Every citizen lost to the enemy counts as a separate case in the file of vengeance.” Acknowledging immense challenge of succeeding legends like Imam Khomeini and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he said he learned of his appointment through state media like the rest of the nation. Tensions escalated further as Iranian security chief Ali Larijani threatened to plunge the region into darkness if the U.S. attacks Tehran’s electricity infrastructure. “The entire region could go dark in less than 30 minutes, giving ample opportunity to target U.S. servicemen,” Larijani warned. Trump had previously boasted that U.S. forces could knock out Iran’s power grid in under an hour, potentially leaving reconstruction to span a generation.