Iran state media claims Iraq resistance group downed US aircraft, CENTCOM denies hostile fire

BAGHDAD: Iran’s state media has cited the spokesman for the central headquarters of Iran’s military to claim that a US military refuelling plane was shot down by a missile fired by resistance groups in Western Iraq. The spokesperson further told Press TV that all six of the service members on board had been killed.

Press TV reported that the Public Relations Department of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) also said in a statement that the air defence systems of the Resistance Front succeeded in targeting a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker while it was refuelling an aggressor fighter jet.

Iran Armed Forces: US refueling plane ‘hit by MISSILE fired by resistance groups in western Iraq and crashed, KILLING all its crew’

NAYA footage of ‘2 Chinooks searching for 6 US soldiers in western Iraq’ https://t.co/RBTsrIjoRT pic.twitter.com/NjBhGUybFH

— RT (@RT_com) March 12, 2026

Earlier, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the loss of a US Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft over Iraq while supporting military operations, according to an official press release. However it denied any incident of Hostile fire.

According to a press release issued by CENTCOM, the incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. “Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, while the second aircraft was able to land safely,” the release said. “This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM posted on X.

U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026

Authorities added that rescue efforts are currently underway. “More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members,” the release said.

Earlier, President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) said the situation involving Iran was progressing “very rapidly” and praised the strength of the United States military.

Speaking at the Women’s History Month event at the White House, the US president said American forces were performing strongly and suggested that current actions were addressing long-standing issues with Iran.

“The situation with Iran is moving along very rapidly. It’s doing very well. Our military is unsurpassed. There’s never been anything like it. Nobody’s ever seen anything like it,” Trump said.

He added that the United States was now taking actions that should have been carried out decades earlier. Reflecting on his earlier time in office, Trump said his administration’s efforts to rebuild the US military had strengthened its current capabilities.

“We had a very successful first term, best economy ever. We did a lot of great things. We rebuilt our military. That’s one of the reasons we’re doing so well now with our military,” he said.

Trump also noted that he had not expected to rely so heavily on the armed forces but said the strengthened military had become crucial in dealing with international developments. (ANI)