Four killed after US refuelling plane crashes in Iraq, military confirms

A US Air Force KC-135 refuelling plane crashed in western Iraq around 19:00 GMT on Thursday, resulting in the confirmed deaths of four of the six crew members. US Central Command (Centcom) stated that neither hostile nor friendly fire caused the crash, which occurred during ongoing US operations against Iran. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation, and the identities of the deceased are being withheld until their families are notified. This crash brings the US military death toll in the US-Israel war with Iran to 11, with at least four US aircraft lost during the conflict. Iran's military claimed an allied group targeted the plane with a missile, though Centcom has not confirmed this.

A U.S. military KC-135 refuelling plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, according to U.S. Central Command. The plane was part of the operation against Iran, but the crash was not a result of hostile or friendly fire. Two KC-135 aircraft were involved, with one landing safely while the other went down. The incident is described as a "loss" by Central Command, which oversees the Middle East. Rescue efforts are currently underway, and further details are expected to be released as the situation develops. This is the fourth publicly acknowledged aircraft to crash as part of the U.S. military’s operations against Iran.

A U.S. military KC-135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command on Thursday. The aircraft was involved in operations against Iran, but the crash was stated to not be the result of hostile or friendly fire. Another KC-135 tanker was involved and landed safely. Rescue efforts are underway, and details regarding potential casualties are not yet available. This is the fourth acknowledged aircraft crash during the U.S. military's operations against Iran, following the downing of three fighter jets by friendly fire last week. So far, seven American troops have died in combat during the Iran war, and approximately 140 have been wounded.

The first week of the war against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," cost the United States over $11.3 billion, according to a Pentagon briefing reported by the New York Times. This figure, presented to lawmakers on Tuesday, excludes pre-strike build-up expenses, suggesting the total cost is higher. Initial estimates indicated $5.6 billion in munitions were used in the first two days alone. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated the first 100 hours cost $3.7 billion, with most of that unbudgeted. The Iran War Cost Tracker website estimates the conflict is costing the US $1 billion per day, with the total exceeding $17 billion, although this does not include long-term costs like veteran care.

In March 2026, Trump administration officials informed Congress that the first six days of the US war on Iran cost approximately $11.3 billion. This figure, revealed during a closed-door briefing, prompted lawmakers to express concerns about the overall financial burden of the conflict. Congressional aides anticipate a request from the White House for additional war funding, potentially reaching $50 billion. While President Trump claimed the US "won" the war, the administration has not provided a public cost assessment or timeline. The conflict, which has spread across the Middle East, has resulted in approximately 2,000 deaths, primarily Iranians and Lebanese, and UNICEF reports that 1,100 children have been killed or wounded.