A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with U.S. Central Command stating the incident occurred in friendly airspace and was not due to hostile or friendly fire, while rescue teams search for the crew, which a U.S. official indicated might number up to six.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for shooting down the tanker, underscoring the risks as the U.S. faces attacks by pro-Iran militias in sparsely populated desert areas.This loss is the fourth known aircraft loss in the conflict with Iran, following three F-15E Strike Eagle fighters downed in a friendly-fire error over Kuwait, though their crews ejected safely.The
Pentagon confirmed seven American troops killed and
Reuters reported up to 150 wounded, amidst a broader campaign that has struck over 6,000 targets in
Iran and caused significant casualties in
Lebanon.