- A US military refuelling aircraft, a KC-135, crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with US Central Command stating the incident was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
- Up to six service members were reportedly on board the crashed aircraft, which was involved in an 'incident' with another KC-135 that landed safely in Israel.
- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed umbrella group, claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft, stating it acted in defence of its country's sovereignty.
- This incident occurs amidst an ongoing conflict against Iran, which has seen US troops killed and wounded, and follows a previous 'friendly fire' incident where three US fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait.
- Regional tensions are escalating, with Iran warning it would target oil and gas sites and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed if attacked, while the Israeli Prime Minister issued a veiled threat against Iran's new supreme leader.
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