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Thursday, March 12, 2026

US Military Plane Crashes In Iraq With 5 Aboard; Iran-Backed Group Claims Role

A rescue mission is underway after a US military aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the ongoing confrontation with Iran. The aircraft, a KC-135 Stratotanker, went down while participating in a mission connected to Operation Epic Fury, according to US military officials. Authorities confirmed that at least five crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the incident, though some reports indicate there may have been six personnel. While the KC-135 is typically flown by a three-member crew, the aircraft was carrying additional individuals whose roles have not yet been disclosed. US Central Command said that two KC-135 aircraft were operating as part of the mission. One tanker landed without incident, but the other crashed while flying in what the military described as “friendly airspace.” Officials stressed that the crash was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire, and recovery operations are continuing. <h3>US Military Aircraft Crashes In Iraq: Militia Group Claims Responsibility</h3> Despite the US military’s assertion that the aircraft was not shot down, a coalition of Iran-aligned armed groups operating in Iraq claimed involvement. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement saying it had targeted the tanker aircraft. According to the group, the strike was carried out “to defend our country’s sovereignty and airspace”, as per a report on India Today. The claim could not be independently verified, and US officials have not linked the crash to any militant attack. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 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) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2032211125882745265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <h3>Strategic Role Of KC-135</h3> The KC-135 Stratotanker has been a vital component of US aerial operations for decades. Developed by Boeing during the 1950s and 1960s, the aircraft is designed to refuel fighter jets, bombers, and other military planes mid-air. This capability allows combat aircraft to remain in the air longer and operate far from their home bases, making the tanker fleet essential for sustained operations in conflict zones.  <h3>Mounting Casualties In The Conflict</h3> The crash comes against the backdrop of escalating military activity across the region. Since February 28, when the United States and Israel began coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, several American personnel have been killed in related incidents. Six US service members died in a drone strike on a civilian port in Kuwait, while another succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. According to the Pentagon, around 140 American troops have been wounded since the conflict intensified, including eight who suffered severe injuries. A Reuters report suggested that the total number of wounded could be closer to 150. <h3>Multiple Incidents Across Region</h3> The day of the tanker crash also saw other incidents involving US forces. Two sailors were injured in a non-combat fire aboard the USS Gerald Ford, while another military aircraft incident occurred elsewhere in the region. In that event, all six crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle successfully ejected from their aircraft and were later reported to be in stable condition.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-israel-conflict-us-military-plane-crashes-in-iraq-with-5-aboard-iran-backed-group-claims-role-1830989

Trump Says Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Probably Alive’ As Reports Claim Iran’s New Supreme Leader In Coma

As speculation continues to grow over the health of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, US President Donald Trump said he believes Mojtaba Khamenei is likely still alive but may have suffered serious injuries. Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump was asked whether he believes Mojtaba, who assumed leadership after his father Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israel strikes, is alive. “I think he probably is,” Trump said during the Brian Kilmeade Show. “I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” he added. Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance ever since the conflict started, fuelling speculation about his condition and his ability to lead Iran as the new supreme leader during the ongoing war. <h3>Reports Claim Iranian Leader May Be Critically Injured</h3> Trump’s remarks came amid media reports suggesting that the 56-year-old cleric may have been seriously wounded in the airstrike that killed his father on February 28. According to a report by The Sun, Khamenei is in a coma and lost at least one leg after being critically injured in the attack. The report also claimed the Iranian leader “lost at least one leg and has also suffered serious stomach or liver damage.” The report said he is currently being treated under heavy security at Tehran's Sina University Hospital. “One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,” a source told the newspaper. <h3>Iranian Officials Say He Is Injured But Safe</h3> Iranian officials have acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained injuries in the strike but maintained that he is safe and recovering. A report by The Guardian, citing Tehran’s ambassador to Cyprus, noted that the cleric was injured in the attack and described him as fortunate to have survived the bombardment. “I have heard that he was injured in his legs and hand and arm I think he is in the hospital because he is injured,” Diplomat Alireza Salarian said. Explaining why the 56-year-old leader has not appeared in public or delivered any statements since succeeding his father, he added, “I don’t think he is comfortable (in any condition) to give a speech.” <h3>First Statement Broadcast On State Television</h3> Iranian state television has tried to signal continuity in leadership by airing what it described as Mojtaba Khamenei’s first message since taking charge. The statement, however, was not delivered by Khamenei himself and was instead read out by a news presenter. In the message, Khamenei warned that Iran would retaliate for those killed during the conflict and issued a threat against US military bases in the region. “All US bases should be immediately closed in the region, otherwise they will be attacked,” Khamenei said. He also warned that Iran would demand compensation for the war and could target foreign assets if its demands are ignored. “We will take war reparations from the enemy for the war it imposed on us. If the enemy refuses, we will seize as much of its assets as we deem appropriate; and if that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent amount of its property,” he said.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-says-mojtaba-khamenei-probably-alive-as-reports-claim-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-gravely-injured-1830985

No life insurance for Mojtaba Khamenei: Netanyahu

Jerusalem, Mar 13 (PTI): Asserting that the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran is “going better than expected” and Israel is “stronger than ever”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said there was “no life insurance” for Iran’s newly chosen Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Responding to a question about whether Israel would target Khamenei and Hezbollah leader Naem Qassem, Netanyahu said, “I wouldn’t take out a life insurance policy on any of the leaders of the terror organisations.” Mojtaba's father, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israel strikes on February 28. Israel launched its campaign dubbed “Roaring Lion” on February 28 against Iran, which was joined by the US which gave it the name “Epic Fury”, with the claimed objective of "foiling Iran’s nuclear ambitions, dismantling its missile programme and delivering a crushing blow to its regional proxies". On the topic of toppling the regime in Iran, the Israeli prime minister said that the US and Israel were acting “to create the conditions for the Iranian people so they can remove the cruel regime of tyranny”. “We are landing crushing blows on the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij both in the streets and at checkpoints – and we are still active,” he said. Addressing the Iranian people, the Israeli leader said, “The moment when you can embark on a new path of freedom – that moment is approaching. We stand by you, we are helping you. But at the end of the day – it depends on you! It is in your hands.” When asked by reporters again if Israel would push for a regime change, Netanyahu said, “You can lead someone to water, you cannot make him drink.” “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,” signalling that the campaign wouldn’t include introducing boots on the ground to force the ouster of the current regime. In any case, the Israeli premier said that the war has ensured that it is “no longer the same Iran, it is no longer the same Middle East, and it is also not the same Israel”. “We do not wait. We initiate, we attack, and we do so with a force that is unprecedented,” he said, adding that Israel has “many surprises” up its sleeve for the current campaign. Netanyahu also lauded his relationship with US President Donald Trump. “We have created an alliance unlike any before with the United States – an alliance with our great friend, my personal friend, President Trump. We speak almost every day. We speak freely, exchange ideas and advice, and make decisions together,” Netanyahu said. He stressed that he and Trump spoke a short time ago, and the US president told him, “Our relationship is one hundred times stronger than any relationship that has existed between an American president and an Israeli prime minister. We are not thinking only about our countries, or only about this generation. We are thinking about future generations – about the future of humanity.” Netanyahu hinted at possible new breakthroughs on the diplomatic front for Israel in the region. “In these days, my team and I are weaving additional alliances with countries in the region – alliances that only a few weeks ago would have seemed unimaginable,” he added, without elaborating. PTI HM GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/no-life-insurance-for-mojtaba-khamenei-netanyahu-1830984

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Trump ‘Would Back’ Killing of Iran’s New Supreme Leader If He Rejects US Demands: Report

US President Donald Trump would support the assassination of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, if he refuses to comply with Washington’s demands, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The reported ultimatum centres largely on Iran abandoning its nuclear weapons programme. US officials cited in the report said Trump is prepared to back the removal of the new Iranian leader if he rejects those conditions. <h2>Israeli Operation Could Lead Any Strike</h2> Officials familiar with the discussions suggested that any such operation would likely be carried out by Israel, potentially mirroring the strike that killed Mojtaba’s father, former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, on February 28. The elder Khamenei died in airstrikes that targeted senior Iranian leadership, an event that significantly escalated tensions across the region. His death created a sudden leadership vacuum in Iran, paving the way for Mojtaba’s rapid elevation to the country’s most powerful political and religious position. Trump has openly criticised the decision to appoint the younger Khamenei, warning that the new leader would not be able to “live in peace” if Iran continues on its current course. <h2>Trump Says He Is ‘Not Happy’ With Iran’s Choice</h2> In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he was dissatisfied with Tehran’s leadership transition. “I’m not happy,” the US president said when asked about Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment, adding that he did not believe the new leader would be able to “live in peace”. Before Mojtaba’s elevation, Trump had also argued that the United States should have a role in shaping Iran’s next leadership, drawing comparisons with past American involvement in political developments in Venezuela. <h2>Questions Over Mojtaba Khamenei’s Succession</h2> Reports indicate that Ali Khamenei had previously expressed opposition to his son succeeding him. According to accounts cited by the New York Post, the late Iranian leader stated in his will that Mojtaba should not be chosen as his successor. However, the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ultimately pushed for Mojtaba’s appointment after his father’s death. Khosro Isfahani, research director at the opposition group National Union for Democracy, said the elder Khamenei had made his position clear. “In Khamenei’s will, he explicitly asked Mojtaba not to be named as successor,” Isfahani said. <h2>A Leader Who Worked Largely Behind the Scenes</h2> At 56, Mojtaba Khamenei had never held a formal government role before becoming Iran’s supreme leader. For years, much of his influence came from operating quietly within his father’s inner circle. Observers say he played a key role behind the scenes as the Islamic Republic tightened its conservative grip on power, building connections within the political and security establishment despite maintaining a relatively low public profile.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-killing-will-be-backed-by-us-says-donald-trump-1830846

Over 500 Indians evacuated from Qatar amid conflict in West Asia

Doha, Mar 11 (PTI): Over 500 Indians stranded in Qatar were evacuated to New Delhi and other destinations on Wednesday, the Indian mission here said, warning those still in the West Asian country against approaching any unidentified objects, debris, or fragments. In an advisory posted on X, the Indian Embassy in Qatar said that Qatar Airways is also scheduled to operate two flights to India on Thursday, amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. "More than 500 Indians stranded in Qatar travelled to New Delhi and other destinations on Qatar Airways flights on March 11," it said. The mission said its three round-the-clock helplines are available to the Indian community to address any queries, and added that it has been giving special attention to the prompt issuance of passports for Indian nationals. "Due to the current situation, we are open on all days of the week for taking passport applications. Tatkal passports are being issued within 1–2 days," it said. It urged Indian nationals to "handle alerts and warning messages issued by official channels seriously and follow necessary guidelines." Everyone is advised against approaching any unidentified objects, debris, or fragments. Please report them immediately by calling 999," it added. Tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following the US-Israel strikes on Iran since February 28. PTI GRS GRS GRS(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/over-500-indians-evacuated-from-qatar-amid-conflict-in-west-asia-1830843

Trump-Epstein ‘Titanic Pose’ Statue Pops Up In Washington DC, Sparks Buzz Online

A protest art installation depicting figures resembling Donald Trump and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has appeared in Washington, DC, drawing public attention. The installation shows statues of Trump and Epstein recreating the iconic pose from the film Titanic. The display is believed to have been erected by an artist collective known as Secret Handshake. The artwork surfaced earlier this week without any prior announcement. Its appearance coincides with renewed scrutiny over Trump’s alleged ties to Epstein, the financier who has been widely reported to have operated a child sex and prostitution ring. <h2>Part Of A Series Of Protest Installations</h2> The latest installation follows a string of similar displays in the US capital. Last week, a project titled “Jeffrey Epstein Walk of Shame” appeared at Farragut Square in Washington. The installation was modelled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame and featured the names of politicians, billionaires and other individuals reported to have links to Epstein. Earlier, in September, another artwork titled “Best Friends Forever” appeared on the National Mall. The spray-painted bronze statue depicted Trump and Epstein holding hands and was also attributed to the Secret Handshake collective. <h2>DOJ Releases Additional FBI Interview Records</h2> Last week, the United States Department of Justice released additional Federal Bureau of Investigation records summarising interviews conducted in 2019 with an unidentified woman during the agency’s investigation into Epstein. According to the documents, the woman alleged that Trump attempted to force her to perform oral sex after Epstein introduced her to the future president in New York or New Jersey in the 1980s. She said she was between 13 and 15 years old at the time. FBI agents interviewed the woman four times in 2019. Previously, the Justice Department had released only a summary of one interview in which the woman accused Epstein of molesting her when she was a teenager. The newly disclosed records reference an additional allegation involving Trump. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt rejected the claims, calling them “completely baseless accusations, backed by zero credible evidence.” The Justice Department also said some of the documents contain “untrue and sensationalist claims” about Trump. The accuracy of the woman’s allegations has not been independently verified, and FBI records show agents stopped speaking with her in 2019. <h2>Political Scrutiny Over Epstein Records</h2> The Justice Department said the records were released after it discovered they had previously been “incorrectly coded as duplicative” and therefore were not published earlier. Their disclosure has intensified political scrutiny in the United States Congress over how records connected to the Epstein investigation have been handled. Democrats have accused the administration of withholding material related to Trump. A committee in the United States House of Representatives has voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the handling and disclosure of the documents. Trump has repeatedly said his association with Epstein ended in the mid-2000s and that he was unaware of the financier’s sexual abuse. Previously released records show Trump flew several times on Epstein’s plane in the 1990s, which Trump has denied. Epstein died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, drawing global attention to allegations involving influential individuals linked to him.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-epstein-titanic-pose-statue-pops-up-in-washington-dc-sparks-buzz-online-1830839

Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Suffered Injuries To Legs, Hand & Arm: Reports

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured during a strike on February 28 that killed several members of his family, including his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The Guardian reported, citing Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus. In an interview conducted at the Iranian embassy in Nicosia, Ambassador Alireza Salarian said the 56-year-old cleric survived the bombardment that destroyed his father’s residence in Tehran but sustained injuries to his limbs. The strike formed part of the opening phase of US-led airstrikes against Iran and triggered a broader escalation in the region. <h2>Ambassador Details Injuries</h2> According to the report, Salarian said Mojtaba Khamenei was present at the residence when the strike occurred and was fortunate to survive the bombardment that levelled the building. He said the cleric suffered injuries to his legs, hand and arm and is believed to be recovering in hospital. The ambassador suggested the injuries may explain why Khamenei has not appeared in public or delivered any statement since he succeeded his father as Iran’s supreme leader earlier this week. Several members of the Khamenei family were killed in the strike during the holy month of Ramadan. Those killed included the late supreme leader’s wife, daughter, son-in-law and a 14-month-old grandchild. Salarian also said several senior military commanders were among those killed after attending a gathering at the residence located near Tehran’s presidential complex. <h2>Reports Point To Additional Injuries</h2> Meanwhile, Mojtaba Khamenei also suffered a fractured foot and other minor injuries during the first day of the US and Israel’s bombardment campaign, a source familiar with the situation told CNN. The source said the injuries included a bruise around his left eye and minor cuts on his face, though Iranian authorities have not publicly detailed the extent of his condition. Earlier this week Yousef Pezeshkian, a senior government adviser and the son of Iran’s president, also said Mojtaba Khamenei had been wounded but did not elaborate on the circumstances. An Iranian official later told Reuters that the cleric had been “lightly injured” but continued to carry out his responsibilities. Iranian state television has described the new leader as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war”, though it did not provide details about the nature of his injuries. Western intelligence officials believe the cleric may be deliberately kept out of the public eye due to fears of possible assassination attempts as tensions continue to escalate. The leadership transition has drawn sharp international reactions. US President Donald Trump criticised Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection by a committee of clerics, while Israel has warned it would not hesitate to target the cleric, who is widely seen as sharing the hardline views of his father, who ruled Iran for nearly four decades.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-suffered-injuries-to-legs-hand-reports-1830837