All six lives lost in crash of refueling plane in Iraq

The US military confirmed yesterday that six service members aboard a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft were killed in a crash in western Iraq on Thursday.

The incident moves the American military personnel death toll to 13 as of yesterday since the beginning of the US-Israel strikes on Iran.

The Central Command (CENTCOM) clarified that while the crew was on a combat mission against Iran, the loss was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and that an investigation is ongoing.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth honored the crew, calling them “American heroes, all of them.”

As the conflict escalates, Hegseth has ordered the deployment of the warship USS Tripoli and thousands of Marines to the Middle East.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled that Navy escorts for commercial vessels could begin “soon,” and had previously said the disruptions cost the US $11 billion.