Rescue efforts underway after US refuelling aircraft crashes in western Iraq

Rescue efforts underway after US refuelling aircraft crashes in western Iraq

Rescue efforts are underway after an American refuelling aircraft “went down in western Iraq”, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has mentioned.

CENTCOM issued an announcement saying it “is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft”, including that the “incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing”.

The assertion continued: “Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

Earlier, the UK Ministry of Defence has mentioned RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets have continued finishing up defensive air operations over Jordan, Qatar and the UAE.

RAF pilots have now spent over 300 hours flying over the Middle East and have shot down a number of drones in defence of allies.

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CENTCOM: US aircraft ‘went down in western Iraq’

Rescue efforts are underway after an American refuelling aircraft “went down in western Iraq”, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has mentioned.

CENTCOM issued an announcement saying it “is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft”, including that the “incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing”.

The assertion continued: “Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

UN chief: ‘De-escalation and dialogue are the only way out’

Earlier immediately, the UN secretary-general mentioned de-escalation and dialogue are “the only way out” of the escalating battle in the Middle East, as he urged all events to stop hostilities and “uphold international law”.

António Guterres wrote on X: “The unfolding crisis in the Middle East constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security and has caused immense suffering for civilians.

“De-escalation and dialogue are the only way out. I strongly urge all parties to cease the hostilities, uphold international law, protect civilians and return immediately to the negotiating table.”

IDF completes ‘wave of strikes’ in opposition to Hezbollah in Lebanon

The Israeli army has accomplished a “wave of strikes” in opposition to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the IDF mentioned in an announcement posted on social media.

“The IDF struck several Hezbollah command centers” used to focus on Israel, the assertion mentioned.

The IDF added that Hezbollah “systematically embeds its infrastructure within the civilian population across Lebanon. This is another example of the organization’s cynical exploitation of Lebanese civilians for its terrorist activities.

“Prior to the strikes, measures were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians, including advance warnings, the use of precision munitions, and aerial surveillance.”

Six French troops injured after drone strike on Iraq base – report

​At least six French ⁠troopers have been wounded in a ⁠drone strike ⁠concentrating on a ⁠joint ​Peshmerga-French base ⁠in the ‌Makhmour space of ‌Iraq, Erbil ‌Governor Omed ⁠Koshnaw mentioned, in keeping with Reuters.

The information company additionally cited a safety supply knowledgeable of the assault as saying six French troopers had been injured.

In photos: Missile strikes proceed in Lebanon and Israel

HEBRON, WEST BANK - MARCH 12: Missiles launched from Iran in retaliation for Israeli attacks are seen in the night sky over the city of Hebron in the West Bank on March 12, 2026. (Photo by Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Missiles launched from Iran seen in the evening sky over town of Hebron in the West Bank (Photo: Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu through Getty Images)
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - MARCH 12: Missiles launched from Iran as part of ongoing retaliatory attacks against the United States and Israel are seen in the skies over Ramallah in West Bank, on March 12, 2026. (Photo by Issam Rimawi/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Missiles launched from Iran over Ramallah in the West Bank (Photo: Issam Rimawi/Anadolu through Getty Images)
Plumes of smoke rise following Israeli strikes on Beirut, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Israeli strikes on Beirut (Photo: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)
Plumes of smoke cover the city skyline following Israeli strikes on Beirut's, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Smoke covers Beirut’s suburbs following Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital (Photo: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

Saudi Arabia intercepts and destroys drones

Three drones have been intercepted and destroyed by Saudi Arabia, its Defence Ministry has introduced.

The drones have been intercepted in the east of the nation.

The announcement got here roughly one hour after the Saudi Defence Ministry mentioned it had intercepted one other drone heading towards the Shaybah oil area, positioned about 10km south of the border to Abu Dhabi.

Air raid alerts sound in Bahrain for second time in three hours

Air raid alerts have sounded in Bahrain for the second time in three hours as Iran continues its retaliatory strikes throughout the Gulf.

Posting on X, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior mentioned: “The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.”

Trump: Iran paying ‘big price’ as US operation ‘moving along very rapidly’

Donald Trump has mentioned the US-Israeli operation in opposition to Iran – which he described as a “nation of a terror and hate” – is “moving along very rapidly”.

Speaking at a White House occasion, the US President mentioned: “The situation with Iran is moving along very rapidly. We’re doing what has to be done.”

He added: “They really are a nation of a terror and hate, and they’re paying a big price right now.”

Stocks plunge as oil surges above $100

Stocks have dropped internationally as oil costs rose above $100 a barrel.

The S&P 500 fell 1.5 per cent immediately, whereas the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.6 per cent. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq composite fell 1.8 per cent.

This comes because the barrel of Brent crude rose as excessive as $101.59. 

‘Optimal conditions’ for regime change created by US-Israeli operation in opposition to Iran, Netanyahu says

Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned the joint US-Israeli operation in opposition to Iran has “created optimal conditions” for regime change.

The Israeli Prime Minister denounced Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards”.

Addressing the Iranian individuals, he mentioned a “new path of freedom” was approaching.

Netanyahu added that Israel stands with Iranians opposing the nation’s ruling regime. “But at the end of the day, it depends on you. It is in your hands,” he added.

“You can lead someone to water, you cannot make him drink,” Netanyahu continued. “We will create optimal conditions to do this, including airstrikes as we did yesterday, as we are doing these days, to try to give them the space needed to take to the streets.”

US ‘dismissed’ Iranian proposal to have ‘no nuclear weapons’ – Iran’s Foreign Minister

Iran’s Foreign Minister has accused the US of dismissing a proposal to make sure Iran had “no nuclear weapons”.

“Factual knowledge matters,” Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.

“Case 1: Iran’s proposal to ensure NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS was dismissed because U.S. counterparts didn’t grasp the technical details.

“Case 2: Americans won’t ‘make money’ from surging oil prices and tariffs. They enrich corporations and crush households.”

Missiles launched from Iran to Israel, IDF warns

Iran has launched missiles towards Israel, the IDF mentioned in an announcement issued in the previous jiffy.

It urged residents to enter shelters if instructed to take action by Israel’s Home Front Command, which can ship a “precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas”.

The announcement comes lower than an hour after the IDF mentioned it had launched a “wide-scale wave of strikes” throughout Tehran.

US Navy will escort tankers via Strait of Hormuz, Scott Bessent says

The US Navy shall be escorting oil tankers via the Strait of Hormuz, Scott Bessent has mentioned.

The US Treasury Secretary instructed Sky News: “My belief [is] that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through.”

He added: “There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits.”

The remarks contradict these made by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who earlier immediately mentioned the US is “not ready” to accompany oil ships via the strait.

“We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities,” he instructed CNBC.

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: An aerial view Port of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo/File Photo
The Port of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, in the strait of Hormuz (Photo: Stringer/Reuters)

IDF launches ‘wide-scale strikes’ throughout Tehran

Israel has begun a “wide-scale wave of strikes” throughout Tehran, the IDF has confirmed.

In an announcement posted on Telegram, the IDF mentioned the strikes have been concentrating on infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime.

Earlier immediately, Israel’s air pressure carried out separate strikes in opposition to the Iranian Basij paramilitary group, which the IDF mentioned had arrange roadblocks throughout Tehran.

The IDF claimed the group “led the regime’s primary efforts to suppress internal protests, particularly in recent months, employing severe violence, mass arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators”.

In photos: Aftermath of Israeli strikes in opposition to Hezbollah in Lebanon

TOPSHOT - A man looks at the site of overnight Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut on March 12, 2026. Lebanon said an Israeli strike on central Beirut's seafront killed at least seven people early on March 12, another attack in the heart of the capital as Iran-backed Hezbollah launched more missiles at Israel. The Israeli military said separately it had carried out strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs overnight against Hezbollah, which had announced a major new operation against Israel. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /
A person seems to be on the website of in a single day Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut (Photo: AFP through Getty Images)
People stand amid debris in front of damaged buildings in the aftermath of a reported Israeli strike in Zuqaq al-Blat, central Beirut, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
People stand amid particles in entrance of broken buildings in the aftermath of a reported Israeli strike in Zuqaq al-Blat, central Beirut (Photo: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)
People stand amid debris in front of damaged buildings in the aftermath of a reported Israeli strike in Zuqaq al-Blat, central Beirut, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Caption: People stand amid particles in entrance of broken buildings in Zuqaq al-Blat (Photo: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)

Ten missiles and 26 drones intercepted by UAE

Ten ballistic missiles and 26 drones have been intercepted by the UAE immediately, the nation’s Defence Ministry mentioned.

In an announcement posted on social media, the ministry mentioned UAE air defences have “engaged 278 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1540 UAVs” in complete for the reason that battle started.

Six individuals have been killed in the assaults in opposition to the UAE, whereas 131 individuals suffered “minor to moderate injuries”, it added.

White House denies report of ‘threat from Iran to our homeland’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has hit again at a report in ABC News suggesting the FBI warned police in California that Iran was looking for to retaliate by launching drones in direction of America’s west coast.

“This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people,” she wrote on X.

She added: “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”

The actual motive it took so lengthy for the Royal Navy to deploy HMS Dragon to Cyprus

The deployment of British warship HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean was delayed whereas software program updates have been carried out on the ship’s weapons system, The i Paper understands.

One of six Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers, Dragon lastly set sail on Tuesday to defend in opposition to drone and missile assaults every week after it was ordered to be deployed and 10 days after the battle in Iran started.

The ship’s major function shall be defending RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, which was hit by an Iranian drone earlier this month following the start of the US and Israeli battle on Iran. It is anticipated to reach in the area inside every week.

Royal Navy and personal army contracting sources acquainted with the preparations of the ship have mentioned the hold-up in its departure was partly attributable to points with software program that instructions the Sea Viper weapons system in addition to the AI-driven Sycoiea defence and missile-tracking know-how.

Sea Viper, the first anti-air warfare system used on Type 45s, is designed to guard from supersonic missiles, drones and aircraft. Sycoiea (System Coordinating Integrated Effect Assignment) is an AI software used to boost risk evaluation and weapon allocation on the destroyers.

A personal Royal Navy contractor supply mentioned: “One of the main reasons it took a week for HMS Dragon to sail was down to issues and upgrades to the weapons and defence systems’ software.”

Loading provides onto the ship – from meals to missiles – had additionally been slowed by the provision of personal contractors, one other Navy supply mentioned.

“In days gone by, the sailors would be seen physically loading the kit onto ships,” he mentioned. “Since the logistics operations were farmed out to private firms, the Royal Navy is now reliant on the availability of things like trucks and cranes from those companies.”

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) denied there was any delay to the ship’s departure, regardless of asserting its deployment every week in the past.

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Air raid alerts sound in Bahrain

Air raid sirens have sounded in Bahrain, the nation’s Ministry of Interior has mentioned amid ongoing retaliatory assaults by Iran throughout the Gulf.

Posting on X, the ministry mentioned: “Citizens and residents are urged to stay calm and head to the closest secure place.

British man charged in Dubai ‘over footage of Iranian missiles’

A British vacationer has been charged below cyber-crime legal guidelines in Dubai over alleged video footage displaying missile strikes amid the battle in the Middle East, a marketing campaign group has mentioned.

The man, 60, is accused of “broadcasting, publishing, republishing or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security”, Detained in Dubai mentioned.

Radha Stirling, the group’s chief govt, mentioned the person had mentioned that he deleted the video from his cellphone when requested and had no intention of doing something improper.

Dubai, which is in the United Arab Emirates, has been hit with missiles amid the battle between Iran and the US and Israel.

A steeplejack assesses the damage after a building was hit by a reported drone strike in Dubai's Creek Harbour on March 12, 2026. An Iranian drone struck a building in Dubai, Iranian state media reported on March 12. Dubai's media office posted on X that authorities were responding to "an incident involving a drone that fell on a building in the vicinity of Dubai Creek Harbour." (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /
A steeplejack assesses the injury after a constructing was hit by a reported drone strike in Dubai’s Creek Harbour immediately (Photo: AFP through Getty Images)

Ms Stirling mentioned: “The charges sound extremely vague but serious on paper. In reality, the alleged conduct could be something as simple as sharing or commenting on a video that is already circulating online.”

She added: “Under UAE cybercrime laws, the person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshapes, reposts or comments on it. One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges.”

Detained in Dubai mentioned he was certainly one of 21 individuals charged below cyber-crime legal guidelines in reference to movies and social media posts regarding the latest missile strikes. The group mentioned penalties in such circumstances can embrace as much as two years in jail.

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