by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/TEHRAN (Worthy News) – All six crew members aboard a U.S. refueling aircraft have died after the plane crashed over western Iraq, the U.S. military confirmed Friday, as fighting between the United States, Israel, and Iran continued to intensify.
U.S. Central Command said the aircraft was lost while flying over “friendly airspace” on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
“The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury,” Central Command said in a statement. “The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
Officials said the identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
The aircraft involved was a KC-135 Stratotanker, a refueling plane used to extend the range of fighter jets and bombers during long-range missions.
CRASH UNDER INVESTIGATION
U.S. officials said two aircraft were operating in the area, with one crashing in western Iraq while the other landed safely after sustaining damage.
Authorities stressed that the crash occurred during operations linked to the campaign against Iran but was not the result of hostile action, despite claims by an Iran-backed militia group that it had shot down the aircraft.
With the latest deaths, the total number of U.S. service members killed in the conflict since the start of operations against Iran on February 28 has risen to at least 13, according to publicly available information.
The confirmation of the fatalities came as U.S. officials warned that the military campaign against Iran was entering a more intense phase.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters the United States would unleash its largest number of strikes yet against Iranian targets.
STRIKES SET TO INTENSIFY
“We will conduct about 20 percent more strikes than on the previous most intense day,” Hegseth said, signaling a further escalation of the air campaign.
Israel also said it carried out large-scale strikes across Tehran, while oil prices surged amid fears of a wider regional conflict, with Brent crude trading above $100 a barrel.
Despite the intensifying strikes, officials in the region suggested the war could ultimately end through negotiations.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh said she believes the conflict will likely conclude with a diplomatic settlement with Iran.
“Ultimately, it will be a diplomatic solution, but there needs to be that tipping point moment,” she said, adding that mediation can only begin once the fighting subsides.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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