A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury following a midair incident with another tanker, which landed safely in Israel after sustaining damage.U.S. Central Command confirmed the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire, with ongoing search and rescue operations for at least five unaccounted-for crew members.Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft, stating it was an act of self-defense.This incident marks the fourth U.S. aircraft loss in the ongoing campaign against
Iran and occurred shortly after a friendly fire incident that downed three U.S. fighters over
Kuwait.