UPDATE: All 6 US Crew Killed in Iraq Aircraft Crash, Raising War's Toll as Iran Strikes Intensify

 

The US military confirms all six crew members died in a KC-135 crash in Iraq, raising the American death toll to 13 in the war with Iran. Get the latest on the conflict, including new strikes and regional fallout.

The human cost of the escalating conflict with Iran deepened Friday as the U.S. military confirmed that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 refueling aircraft were killed when it went down in western Iraq. The crash raises the American death toll to 13 after two weeks of war, even as President Trump and his defense secretary touted major military successes.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the incident involved two aircraft on Thursday. While one KC-135 landed safely, the other was lost. In a crucial detail, CENTCOM stated the "loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," and an investigation into the circumstances is underway.

The tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of intense military action and stark new claims from U.S. leaders.

Key Developments in the Iran War

1. US Military Deaths and the Aircraft Crash
The crash in Iraq is the single deadliest incident for U.S. forces in the conflict so far. The six crew members lost bring the total U.S. military death toll to 13, with seven previously killed in combat, according to the Pentagon. Additionally, eight U.S. service members are severely injured. The cause of the KC-135 crash remains under investigation, but officials have ruled out enemy fire.

2. Hegseth: Iranian Leader Injured, Thousands of Targets Hit
At a Friday press briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes have hit more than 15,000 targets. He repeated his claim that Iran's new supreme leader has been injured in the campaign, a assertion aimed at demonstrating the operation's effectiveness.

3. Trump: "Totally Destroying" Iran's Regime
President Trump took to Truth Social to declare the U.S. is "totally destroying" Iran's regime, both militarily and economically. His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a more cautious view, suggesting that while Israel has weakened Iran's rulers, it may ultimately be up to the Iranian people to topple them.

4. Widespread Strikes and Rising Casualties
The military campaign continues to expand. Israel's air force reported striking more than 200 targets in western and central Iran over the past day, including missile launchers and weapons sites in Tehran, Shiraz and Ahvaz. In Lebanon, strikes hit Hezbollah command centers in the south and central Beirut.

The reported human toll across the region is severe:

• Iran: More than 1,300 people killed.

• Lebanon: 773 people killed.

• Israel: 12 civilians and two soldiers killed in Lebanon.

• Displacement: The total number of displaced people in Iran and Lebanon has reached into the millions.

5. The Humanitarian and Geopolitical Fallout
Beyond the battlefield, the war's impact is spreading:

• French Soldier Killed: President Emmanuel Macron announced a French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's Irbil region, calling it "unacceptable" and warning the Iran war cannot justify strikes on anti-ISIS forces.

• Wider Instability: A senior regional official told NPR they expect the war to last at least another week, with a risk of settling into a dangerous "war routine" of tit-for-tat exchanges between Israel and Iran-backed groups.

• Energy Markets: The U.S. Treasury temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil already at sea, a step to stabilize energy markets amid the conflict.

What's Next?

With no negotiated deal in sight, the U.S. and its allies appear prepared to continue the military campaign. The coming days will reveal whether the intensity can be sustained and at what further cost to all involved. The investigation into the KC-135 crash in Iraq will also be closely watched for any implications about operational safety.

This is a complex and rapidly evolving situation. Check back for verified updates.

Tel Aviv Analyst Shelters Through 30 Missile Sirens in 48 Hours, Says Iran Won’t “Recover”

 

Explosions from projectile interceptions by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system over Tel Aviv. (Getty Images)

Missile Barrages, Shelters and a “Biblical” Battle in Tel Aviv

TEL AVIV — A senior Israeli security analyst described the past 48 hours as unlike anything he’s ever witnessed, as Tel Aviv residents ran repeatedly to shelters amid waves of air-raid sirens triggered by Iranian missile strikes in retaliation for a joint U.S.–Israel offensive against Tehran.

The analyst, Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Fox News Digital that the city experienced around 30 missile sirens over 48 hours, forcing people into reinforced safe rooms and bomb shelters as explosions echoed above.

“We are facing a biblical event — nothing less,” Michael said from his shelter in Tel Aviv, describing the intensity of the bombardment and the emotional toll on civilians caught in the crossfire.

---

A City Under Fire

The repeated missile warnings come amid Iran’s ongoing retaliation after Operation Epic Fury, a military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian strategic and military targets. The strikes, part of an escalating conflict pitting Tehran against Jerusalem and Washington, have prompted Iranian forces to fire missiles and drones toward Israeli population centers, including Tel Aviv, as well as installations across the region.

According to Michael and official reports, Iranian missile and drone attacks have caused casualties and property damage in central Israel, with shrapnel reportedly damaging dozens of buildings in Tel Aviv and at least one civilian death from falling debris.

Sheltering has become a grim routine for many Israelis. Civilians in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas have spent hours underground as sirens wailed repeatedly — “usually about 20 to 30 minutes at a time,” the analyst said — before another threat triggered fresh alarms.

---

Analyst Predicts Enduring Weakness for Iran

In his comments, Michael suggested that even if Iranian forces manage to survive the current onslaught, the regime will not recover, citing heavy losses to leadership, disruptions to control systems and damage across Iranian territory.

“Even if this regime doesn’t collapse,” he said, “it will never be able to reconstitute itself, recover or return to its previous position.”

That bleak assessment comes as Iran reportedly has formed a provisional leadership council to replace Ali Khamenei, whose fate remains uncertain following the U.S.–Israel strikes. Iranian media have suggested a leadership council including figures like Masoud Pezeshkian and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi — though official confirmation is limited.

---

Civilians Endure, Defend and Adapt

Despite the barrage, many Tel Aviv residents insist they will endure. Other reports from the city and its outskirts describe shattered glass, damaged apartments and families crowded into shelters as frequent sirens cut through daily life, yet residents express resilience and solidarity even amid fear.

An AFP report from the same period described how, after missile strikes in the area damaged homes and wounded residents, many Tel Aviv civilians said they had grown accustomed to seeking cover during attacks — even if the experience remained frightening.

---

Why This Conflict Resonates

This moment marks a dramatic escalation in the broader Middle East conflict of 2026, with retaliatory strikes and counterstrikes having profound human and geopolitical consequences.

• Repeated missile attacks underlined civilian vulnerability even in well-defended cities like Tel Aviv.

• Security experts warn that the psychological and infrastructure impact could persist long after the conflict subsides.

• Iran’s leadership shakeup and military disruptions may have lasting effects on regional power dynamics.

---

Looking Ahead

With sirens still sounding and tensions high, the toll on civilians, infrastructure and morale continues to grow — and the analyst’s stark prediction that Iran will not recover from the current conflict adds a dramatic dimension to an already volatile situation.

Whether this assessment proves accurate or becomes another chapter in the long history of regional conflict, the human stories from Tel Aviv’s shelters offer a vivid perspective on war’s immediate impact: ordinary people forced into extraordinary endurance.

Trump confirms Iran's supreme leader is dead, claims regime seeking immunity

 

President Donald Trump announced that Ali Khamenei has been killed during joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, calling the development a historic opportunity for Iranian regime change while urging members of the Islamic Republic’s security forces to seek “immunity.” Here’s the latest.

Trump Announces Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Amid Major Strikes

President Donald Trump confirmed on Feb. 28, 2026, that Ali Khamenei, Iran’s highest political and religious authority, is dead following coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets. Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and said his death marked a turning point in the long-standing conflict with Tehran.

Trump’s announcement came via a post on Truth Social, where he framed the development as “justice for the people of Iran” and an unprecedented opportunity for political change within the Islamic Republic.

---

Claims About Regime Forces Seeking Immunity

In the same message, Trump stated that elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), military, police, and security forces were reportedly no longer willing to fight and were “looking for immunity from us.” He urged these forces to surrender their weapons and “peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots” — otherwise, he warned, they could face death.

Trump’s message extended beyond a simple announcement of a death, positioning the ongoing military operation — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — as both a dismantling of Tehran’s power structures and a push for popular uprising against the current regime.

---

Lack of Independent Confirmation, Iranian Denial

While Trump and allied sources have asserted Khamenei’s death, Iranian state media and officials have not independently confirmed the report. Tehran has called such claims misinformation or psychological warfare, and at least one state outlet has insisted Khamenei remains “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.”

This discrepancy underscores the fog of war and competing narratives amid one of the Middle East’s most dramatic military escalations in recent decades.

---

Why This Moment Is Significant

If confirmed, the death of Ali Khamenei — who ruled Iran for over 36 years — would create a profound power vacuum and intensify uncertainty around the Islamic Republic’s future leadership and political stability.

Khamenei’s role as Iran’s supreme leader has been central to the country’s nuclear policy, regional strategy, and internal governance since 1989. His removal would mark an unprecedented shift and could trigger wide-ranging consequences for regional security, Iranian society, and global diplomacy.

---

Global Response and Ongoing Conflict

Globally, reactions have been mixed, with some world leaders expressing deep concern over the escalation, while others urge de-escalation and diplomatic engagement. The strikes have already prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iranian forces against U.S. and allied positions in the region.

The United Nations and several governments have called for restraint, warning that continued military action risks dragging the Middle East into a larger, protracted conflict.

---

Looking Ahead

As the situation continues to evolve, key questions remain:

• Will Iran’s government confirm Khamenei’s death?

• Who could emerge as the next supreme leader, if confirmed?

• How will regional and global powers respond to shifting power dynamics?

Analysts are closely monitoring developments as both military operations and diplomatic efforts continue amid a rapidly changing landscape in Tehran and beyond.

Iran Under Attack as Trump Vows to ‘Defend the American People’

 

President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States, alongside Israeli forces, has launched major combat operations against Iran, pledging to “defend the American people” by eliminating what he calls imminent threats from Tehran’s regime. Here’s the latest on the conflict and Trump’s remarks.

Major US-Israel Military Strikes Against Iran Begin

The United States and Israel have launched a major joint attack on Iran, with military operations underway early on February 28, 2026. The offensive — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — marks one of the most significant escalations in U.S.–Iran tensions in years and is being carried out through air and naval strikes against Iranian military and strategic targets.

Smoke was reported over several parts of Tehran as explosions shook the capital, indicating that the attacks reached deep into Iranian territory.

---

Trump’s Message: Defending the American People

In an official video statement posted on social media, Donald Trump affirmed that the military campaign’s goal is to “defend the American people” by neutralizing what he described as imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions, long-range missiles, and support for proxy groups across the Middle East.

Trump called Tehran the “world’s number one state sponsor of terror” and said that stopping it from developing nuclear weapons is central to U.S. national security strategy. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said in the address.

---

Details of the Combat Operations

According to U.S. statements, the strikes were designed to:

• Destroy Iranian missile capabilities that could threaten U.S. forces, allies, and potentially reach the homeland in the future.

• Raze Iran’s missile industry and annihilate its navy.

• Minimize risk to U.S. personnel while countering Tehran’s regional influence.

Trump acknowledged that the conflict could entail American casualties, saying U.S. forces take steps to protect personnel but that sacrifices can occur in war.

---

Trump’s Appeal to the Iranian People

In addition to justifying the strikes, Trump directly addressed the Iranian public, urging them to seize control of their government once operations conclude, framing the offensive as a chance for political change. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said, while warning civilians to take shelter due to the intensity of bombardment.

He also offered terms to Iranian security forces, telling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other armed personnel to lay down their weapons for “complete immunity” or face “certain death” if they resist.

---

Regional and Global Implications

The U.S.–Israel offensive represents a watershed moment that could reshape Middle East geopolitics:

• Escalation risk: Iran’s leadership has vowed a strong response, with officials condemning the strikes as aggression and pledging definitive countermeasures.

• International concern: World powers and diplomatic bodies have urged restraint even as military operations continue.

• Security calculations: The conflict’s outcome will influence global energy markets and alignments among regional actors.

---

As military strikes on Iran continue, President Trump’s declaration that the United States is acting to “defend the American people” lays bare the administration’s rationale for direct confrontation. While the joint U.S.–Israel offensive seeks to erode Tehran’s perceived threats, the broader consequences — geopolitical, humanitarian, and strategic — are unfolding rapidly on the world stage.

Israeli Official Says Khamenei, President Among Targeted Leaders

 

Joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran reportedly targeted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, Israeli sources say, in a historic military offensive that raises regional tensions and uncertainty over the leaders’ fate.

Israeli Official Says Khamenei, President Among Targeted Leaders

Joint United States and Israeli military strikes against Iran that began on Feb. 28, 2026 reportedly included targeted attacks on the country’s top political leadership — including Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, and Masoud Pezeshkian, according to senior Israeli officials and public broadcasting reports.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan said the first wave of strikes aimed at “high-profile” targets as part of a coordinated offensive with the United States. Among those named were the supreme leader, the president, and other senior political and security figures, as well as advisers and commanders linked to Iran’s regime apparatus.

---

Details of the Reported Targeting

• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — reportedly among the intended targets of the strikes, with early reports indicating the operation hit near his office complex in Tehran.

• President Masoud Pezeshkian — also named as a target, with Israeli sources confirming he was included in the list of senior figures struck.

• Other senior figures — advisers to the supreme leader, former defense officials, and senior military leaders were also reportedly hit in the first wave of attacks.

It remains unclear whether the strikes caused injuries or fatalities among those leaders, and Iranian state sources initially reported that both Khamenei and Pezeshkian were alive and unharmed, with the supreme leader moved to a secure location prior to the attacks.

---

Context: Escalation of Middle East Conflict

The strikes are the most direct military action between Israel, the United States, and Iranian territory in decades, and signal a sharp escalation in regional tensions after months of confrontations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile development, and regional proxy conflicts.

U.S. officials have framed the operation as a response to perceived threats to American and allied security, while Israeli leaders have described it as necessary to weaken Tehran’s capabilities and political infrastructure. No official casualty figures for senior officials have been confirmed at this time.

---

Iran’s Response and Broader Impact

Iranian authorities have pledged retaliation and condemned the strikes as aggression. Early reports indicate that Tehran is mobilizing defensive and retaliatory measures, with missile exchanges and alerts across the region signaling a broader conflict that could spread beyond Iranian borders.

International reaction has been mixed, with some governments calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement even as military operations continue. Analysts warn the situation could have far-reaching consequences for global security, energy markets, and regional alliances.

---

Why This Matters

The reported targeting of Iran’s supreme leader and president marks an unprecedented moment in U.S.–Iran and Israel–Iran relations, with potentially seismic implications for:

• Iranian internal politics and regime stability

• Middle East security and escalation risks

• U.S. foreign policy and military engagement

• Global diplomatic efforts to reduce conflict

As details remain fluid and independent confirmation is still developing, global leaders and media outlets are closely monitoring communications from Tehran, Washington, and Jerusalem for updates.