The Middle East has been “burning” for 14 days, with Israel conducting airstrikes on targets in Tehran and Lebanon, while Iran targets military infrastructure in northern Israel and commercial ships in the Gulf. Explosions occurred in Dubai, with buildings in the city center shaking and reports of thick smoke in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia announced it has intercepted a total of 50 drones in recent hours.
Meanwhile, a thriller unfolds regarding what happened to the American KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq. CENTCOM stated in its announcement that the crash “was not due to hostile or friendly fire,” however hours later a pro-Iranian organization in Iraq claimed responsibility for the downing, according to Reuters.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq reportedly stated in a Telegram post that it shot down the aircraft “in defense of our country’s sovereignty and airspace.”
According to information, six military personnel were aboard the American aircraft, with the search for their location and the KC-135 ongoing. At the same time, in another development, a French armed forces non-commissioned officer lost his life “during an attack” in the Erbil region of Iraqi Kurdistan, French President Emmanuel Macron announced via X in the early morning hours.
Corporal Arnaud Frion of the 7th Alpine Rifle Battalion, an infantry unit in Vars, “fell for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq,” Macron summarized, emphasizing that “the war in Iran cannot justify such attacks.”
For his part, Donald Trump sent a new message via Truth Social, apparently announcing a new major strike against Iran: “Watch what happens today to these crazy thugs. They’ve been killing innocent people around the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do this!” the American president wrote characteristically.
In his post, Trump also writes, “we are completely destroying Iran’s terrorist regime, militarily, economically and in every other way, but if you read the failing New York Times, you would mistakenly think we’re not winning. Iran’s navy has disappeared, its air force no longer exists, the missiles, drones and everything else have been destroyed, and its leaders have vanished from the face of the earth.”
“We have unmatched firepower, unlimited ammunition and plenty of time. Watch what happens today to these crazy thugs. They’ve been killing innocent people around the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do this! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD TRUMP,” the US president concluded in his post.
