The ongoing conflict involving Iran has tragically claimed the lives of 13 American service members. This grim milestone was reached following a catastrophic incident in which a refueling aircraft, operating over friendly airspace, was brought down on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of all six crew members aboard.

According to the US Central Command, the crash was neither the result of hostile nor friendly fire. In an official statement, they emphasized that “the circumstances of the incident are under investigation,” framing the event as a tragic accident that remains shrouded in uncertainty.

The identities of those who perished in this unfortunate mishap are being kept confidential pending the notification of their families. This latest loss amplifies the sorrow and gravity of the situation, adding to a previous count of seven fatalities linked to the conflict.

As the investigation continues, the military community and the families of the fallen await answers, mourning the loss of those who served their country with dedication and honor.

Identities of the recently decease are being withheld until next of kind can be notified of their deaths in the line of service. 

The death of the six-member crew adds to the previous death toll of seven. 

After Operation Epic Fury began the weekend of February 28, the US announced that six US troops were killed in Iranian drone strikes on a US facility in Kuwait the day after the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

A seventh American service member was added to the toll due to injuries the service member sustained from an Iranian attack on a US base in Saudi Arabia. 

US Central Command confirmed that all six crew members of a refueling mission died in a mid-air collision. Pictured in a US plane that survived the crash

Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Attorney General Pam Bondi are seen at the dignified transfer ceremony on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware

President Donald Trump acknowledged on a call with the Daily Mail earlier this month that more troops would die in the war on Iran. 

At the time of the call, the confirmed death toll was at three. Trump called the service members ‘true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives.’

‘They’re great people,’ the president said. ‘And, you know, we expect that to happen, unfortunately. Could happen continuous – it could happen again.’ 

‘Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more,’ he said of potential casualties. 

The death toll is now at 13 after six died in the mid-air crash on Thursday. 

Trump flew to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware last week for the dignified transfer of the service members returning back to US soil in caskets.  

The six Americans who were killed during the second day of conflict were Army reservists with the 103rd Sustainment Command based out of Des Moines, Iowa.

Nicole Amor, 39, Cody Khork, 35, Declan Coady, 20, Robert Marzan, 54, Jeffrey O’Brien, 45 and Noah Tietjens, 42, died in the war.

The seventh US service member killed in the war was identified as Benjamin Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky. He was assigned to 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, in Fort Carson, Colorado. 

Details on the recent six deceased is expected to be released in the next 24 hours.  

Army Reserve Major Jeffrey O’Brien (left), 45 and Chief Warrant Officer Robert M Marzan (right), 54 

 Captain Cody A Khork (left), 35, and Sergeant 1st Class Nicole M Amor, 39 

Sergeant 1st Class Noah L Tietjens (left), 42, and Specialist Declan J Coady, 20

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth struck a victorious tone during Friday’s press briefing.

‘Iran has no air defenses. Iran has no Air Force. Iran has no Navy,’ Hegseth insisted to a room full of reporters. ‘Their missiles, their missile launchers, and drones—are being destroyed or shot out of the sky. Their missiles volume is down 90 percent.’

He insisted that the US is on track to ‘defeat, destroy and disable’ Iran’s military.