US fuel tanker aircraft crashes in Iraq – what we know and don't know

US temporarily eases Russia oil sanctions in bid to curb price rises - follow live - BBC News Live . 42,727 viewing 42727 viewing Live page Updated 7 minutes ago US temporarily eases Russia oil sanctions as Iran war pushes up energy prices Israel Launches Strikes Against Tehran BBC News Close Watch live Summary The US says it will loosen sanctions on other countries buying Russian oil and petroleum loaded on vessels at sea, in a bid to curb price rises The cost of oil rose to more than $100 a barrel on Thursday when three more cargo vessels were hit in the Gulf In Tehran, footage analysed by BBC Verify shows an explosion near a pro-establishment rally, after Israel launches new strikes President Donald Trump says the US is "totally destroying" the Iranian regime - and to "watch what happens" on Friday Meanwhile, drones entering Saudi Arabian airspace are destroyed and authorities in Dubai say debris from an intercepted projectile hit a building Meanwhile, four crew members on board a refuelling plane that went down over Iraq have died, the US military says Central Command says the "loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire", and the incident is being investigated Scroll to previous item Scroll to next item 0:31 Moment of strike during Tehran pro-government rally. 00:00:31, play video Moment of strike during Tehran pro-government rally 0:42 'Everything was destroyed': Dozens hurt in Zarzir strike. 00:00:42, play video 'Everything was destroyed': Dozens hurt in Zarzir strike 0:19 We are crushing Iranian regime, says Netanyahu. 00:00:19, play video We are crushing Iranian regime, says Netanyahu 0:33 Moment Iran says it hit oil tanker in Gulf. 00:00:33, play video Moment Iran says it hit oil tanker in Gulf 1:15 How the statement from Iran's new leader raises more questions. 00:01:15, play video How the statement from Iran's new leader raises more questions 0:13 Hole in Dubai high rise after reported drone hit. 00:00:13, play video Hole in Dubai high rise after reported drone hit 1:20 Some US military families wary of a long war in Iran. 00:01:20, play video Some US military families wary of a long war in Iran 0:38 Fuel storage tanks engulfed in flames in Oman. 00:00:38, play video Fuel storage tanks engulfed in flames in Oman 0:28 Daylight reveals damaged tankers off Iraq coast. 00:00:28, play video Daylight reveals damaged tankers off Iraq coast 1:28 BBC speaks to Iranians crossing into Turkey. 00:01:28, play video BBC speaks to Iranians crossing into Turkey 0:26 Trump: 'We have to win this thing quickly' 00:00:26, play video Trump: 'We have to win this thing quickly' 0:14 Chaos after strikes in Iran. 00:00:14, play video Chaos after strikes in Iran 0:52 Four people injured after Iran targets Dubai airport. 00:00:52, play video Four people injured after Iran targets Dubai airport 0:46 'A nightmare': BBC reports from site of Beirut strike. 00:00:46, play video 'A nightmare': BBC reports from site of Beirut strike 1:18 How we verify footage of attacks in the Middle East. 00:01:18, play video How we verify footage of attacks in the Middle East 0:37 'I woke up to the sound of central Beirut attack' 00:00:37, play video 'I woke up to the sound of central Beirut attack' 0:51 What impact are the Israeli strikes having in Lebanon? 00:00:51, play video What impact are the Israeli strikes having in Lebanon? 1:23 BBC visits key Dubai port in Iran's firing line. 00:01:23, play video BBC visits key Dubai port in Iran's firing line Live Reporting Edited by Angus Thompson and Rorey Bosotti, with Alice Cuddy and Wyre Davies in Lebanon, Yolande Knell in Jerusalem, Frank Gardner in Riyadh, Nick Beake in Dubai, and Hugo Bachega in Iraq Image source, EPA The Kremlin says Russian and US interests coincide after the Trump administration loosened sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil as a result of the conflict with Iran. Oil prices have spiked in recent days as the war has escalated in the Middle East. In a statement transcribed by Reuters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Russia sees "the United States taking action in an attempt to stabilise energy markets; in this regard, our interests align". Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has been speaking on her visit to Saudi Arabia (see our last post). Russia and Iran are attempting to "hijack the global economy" as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is restricted by attacks, she says. Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ayatollah yesterday vowed to block shipping in the channel, in retaliation for ongoing US-Israeli strikes on his country. Overnight the US temporarily eased sanctions on the purchase of Russian oil. Cooper says the links between Russia and Iran have been seen "over an extended period of time", adding that both countries show connections in their "approach" and "tactics". "We see it in terms of the way these two states try to support each other and try to benefit together from attempting to hijack the global economy," she says. Avoiding criticism of the US announcement on sanctions, Cooper calls that decision a "specific, targeted issue". Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Frank Gardner Security correspondent Yvette Cooper has visited an Air Defence unit of the British Army operating in the Saudi desert. She tells the BBC the detachment of soldiers from the Royal Artillery is part of the UK’s ongoing defence commitment to Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab neighbours. The deployment, codenamed Operation Crossways, began in 2022 but has become more vital as Iran launches daily attacks against its Arab neighbours using drones, cruise and ballistic missiles. The UK Defence Attache to Riyadh, Brigadier Ben Wilde, says Iran is primarily targeting US forces in the region, rather than British ones, as well as going after economic targets. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Image source, Telegram By Shayan Sardarizadeh and Ghoncheh Habibiazad Footage verified by BBC Persian and BBC Verify show an explosion in the Iranian capital Tehran near a pro-establishment rally marking Quds Day. Iran observes Quds Day on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was established in 1979 by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, as a demonstration of support for the Palestinian cause and opposition to Israel. In one of the videos filmed near Tehran’s central Enghelab Square people can be heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” and “Death to America” while a plume of smoke can be seen in the background. Footage also shows marchers holding photographs of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) earlier issued an evacuation warning for an area close to where the rally was taking place. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Iranian state media is reporting that huge explosions have been felt in central Tehran. Thousands of Iranians are taking part in a march for Quds Day, which is in support of Palestinians. Some of the explosions were reportedly heard not far from where the demonstration is taking place. BBC Persian has verified multiple videos of the aftermath of the explosions that are circulating on social media. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing A missile launched from Iran has been destroyed by Nato "assets", according to Turkey's defence ministry. "A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralised by Nato air and missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean," the ministry says in a statement posted on X. It says that "all necessary measures are being taken decisively" towards threats against the country and its airspace. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing In a post on X on Friday morning, US Central Command (Centcom) says that "four of the six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased". Centcom says the circumstances are being investigated and that the "loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire". The identities of those killed will be withheld for 24 hours until next of kin can be notified. Centcom said on Thursday evening that the KC-135 refuelling plane had gone down in "friendly airspace" and a second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely. Image source, EPA Image caption, US Air Force Boeing KC-135 aerial refuelling planes at Ben Gurion international airport near Tel Aviv last month Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Four of six US crew members on board a refuelling plane that went down in western Iraq have died, US Central Command says. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Britons could face "fines, imprisonment and deportation" for sharing images of projectile damage or other incidents, the British embassy in the United Arab Emirates is warning. In a post on X, the British embassy says: "UAE authorities warn against photographing, posting, or sharing images of incident sites or projectile damage as well as government buildings and diplomatic missions." The embassy warns British nationals are subject to UAE laws, and "violations may lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation". On Thursday the BBC reported that a 60-year-old British man was charged under cyber-crime laws in Dubai after allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Ghoncheh Habibiazad Senior reporter, BBC Persian BBC Persian has seen a mass text message sent by the Intelligence Unit of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) on 13 March warning against any upcoming protests. “The evil enemy… is once again seeking to create fear and chaos in the streets. A blow harder than January 8 is awaiting the neo-ISIS [Islamic State].” During the recent anti-establishment protests in Iran, which began on 28 December, the country saw two deadly nights on 8 and 9 January. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) reported the killing of at least 7,000 people during the protests. On 8 March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a direct message to the Iranian people urging them to stand up against the establishment. But on 12 March he said that “I can’t say with certainty that the Iranian people will bring down the regime”. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing The EU says it will reassess the security of the bloc's oil and gas supply in the event of a "prolonged closure" of the Strait of Hormuz. Marine traffic has been restricted through the key shipping channel since the conflict started, leading to fears over oil supply and price rises across the globe. In a release this morning the bloc says meetings were held yesterday on oil and gas co-ordination. "In case of a prolonged closure of the strait of Hormuz or further disruptions, the EU security of oil and gas supply will be reassessed," it says, while asserting there are no current risks to supply security. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Image source, Bloomberg via Getty Images US President Donald Trump says he believes Iran's new supreme leader is "damaged" but "probably alive in some form" following a message from Mojtaba Khamenei that was broadcast on Iranian state TV. It has been reported by the Reuters news agency, citing an unnamed Iranian official, that Khamenei was "lightly injured" in joint US-Israeli strikes, but there have been no details. In an interview with Fox News set to air today, Trump was asked about his reaction to the statement, in which Khamenei says that the "lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz" should still be used by Iran. Oil tankers have been attacked and stranded in the critical shipping channel, and oil prices have been hovering around $100 a barrel. "They've been doing a lot of talking, so he's going to have to put up. We'll have to see because we are decimating them," Trump said. "We are hitting them harder than anyone has been hit since World War Two." Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Nick Eardley Political correspondent The UK will not loosen sanctions on Russian oil, a government minister says. The US has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum that is currently loaded on vessels at sea in an attempt to curb the economic impact of Iran conflict. But energy minister Michael Shanks told BBC's Today programme: "Sanctions are important." He warned of the consequences of President Putin having an opportunity to invest more in the Ukraine war. "The UK government will not be loosening sanctions on Russia at all." Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing The UK energy secretary has told the BBC that the government "will not tolerate" energy firms profiteering from rising fuel prices. Oil prices have increased drastically since the conflict in the Middle East ignited a fortnight ago, and climbed back above $100 a barrel on Thursday. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says that he and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are "really concerned" about what is happening in some parts of the market and had met the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) watchdog earlier in the week. "They're looking at the situation carefully. They are willing to intervene," he says. Read the story in full here Image source, PA Media Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Nick Beake Europe Correspondent reporting from Dubai We reported earlier that state media in Oman said two people have been killed in a drone attack in the state of Sohar as Iran continues to hit out at its neighbours. Oman shares control of the Strait of Hormuz with the Iranians and until this conflict exploded had maintained better relations with Tehran than most other Gulf states. The government in Muscat has acted as a diplomatic mediator between Iran and Western powers, notably the US. But earlier this week, fire crews spent hours tackling a fire at fuel storage tanks at the Port of Salalah following a suspected Iranian drone attack. In the first message attributed to Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, he said his country still believes in the need for “friendship” with its neighbours. That’s not reflected in Iran’s continuing actions in the region. Here in Dubai, another drone was intercepted this morning, with debris hitting a building. No injuries were reported in this attack, nor in those of the previous 48 hours. But the UAE government says that across the country six people have been killed and more than 130 wounded since the war began. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Frank Gardner Security correspondent Image source, UK Ministry of Defence The BBC has been told that RAF Typhoon jets have been in action over Bahrain as part of UK’s contribution to the defence of its Gulf Arab allies. Two jets out of the four sent to Qatar have been allocated specifically to help Bahrain intercept incoming drones. Bahraini officials say a total of 190 incoming drones and 114 missiles have been intercepted (primarily by its own air defences) since the conflict began. The officials say they still have an urgent need for Short Range Air Defence to counter drones. Bahrain’s airport fuel storage tanks were badly hit by an Iranian drone two nights ago. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Strikes were reported in the Israeli town of Zarzir near Nazareth through the early hours of Friday. Magen David Adom emergency service reported at the time dozens of people were treated. Images show emergency personnel inspecting a destroyed house in the area. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A man collects belongings from his house in Zarzir, Israel, in the wake of an Iranian missile strike Image source, Getty Images Image caption, An emergency worker inspecting a house that was destroyed in Zarzir near Nazareth Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A burnt out car is seen in the town Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Saudi Arabia's defence ministry says it has destroyed a number of drones over its territory. The defence ministry says it destroyed dozens of drones entering its airspace in a series of posts on X overnight. In the last couple of hours it reports it has destroyed drones in areas such as the Al-Kharj Governorate and the Eastern Province. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Jon Donnison Reporting from Jerusalem Almost two weeks into this war, Israel’s military again hit Iran overnight, targeting what it said was regime infrastructure. At the same time it is expanding its operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Iranian-backed group continued to fire missiles and launch drones towards Israel injuring several people in the north of the country. In his first news conference of the conflict, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that one war aim was to create the conditions so the Iranian people could rise up and topple the government. There is no sign of that happening yet. Iran continues to target ships including oil tankers passing through the Straits of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran’s neighbours in the oil rich Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, were again targeted overnight. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing Israel has launched new strikes towards the Iranian capital. In a post on Telegram the Israel Defense Forces say they have "just begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran". In the past few minutes multiple explosions have been reported in and near the city. Share close panel Share page Copy link About sharing