US and Iran offer conflicting causes for military refuelling plane crash

WorldPolitics
13 Mar 2026 • 4:44 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A US Air Force KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a mission linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
  • US Central Command stated the incident occurred in "friendly airspace" during Operation Epic Fury and was not caused by "hostile fire" or "friendly fire".
  • The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed group, claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft, citing defence of their country's sovereignty.
  • Rescue operations are ongoing, with officials still gathering details and yet to confirm any casualties from the crash.
  • This marks the fourth US manned aircraft lost since Operation Epic Fury began, amidst escalating tensions and military actions in the region.

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