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According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft had taken off from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates when it transmitted the distress signal.
This photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense shows a North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 fighter refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker over western Alaska on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (U.S. Department of Defense via AP)(AP)A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, a US military aerial refuelling aircraft, issued a “7700” emergency transponder code while flying over the Persian Gulf near Iran. The signal indicates an in-flight emergency.
The aircraft is operated by the US Air Force and is used to refuel fighter jets and other military aircraft mid-air.
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft had taken off from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates when it transmitted the distress signal.
After the alert, the aircraft reportedly entered a circular holding pattern, a standard aviation procedure used to maintain stability or prepare for landing. It later began descending, though details of the landing have not been officially confirmed.
At one point during the incident, the aircraft’s tracking signal was briefly lost, adding uncertainty about its condition.
Cause of emergency unknown
The exact reason for the emergency has not been disclosed. Possible causes could range from technical malfunction to onboard system issues, but there is no official confirmation.
The United States military has not issued a statement on the incident or suggested any link to hostile activity.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported the incident using flight data but did not attribute any action to Iranian forces.
The event comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, where military activity in the Persian Gulf region remains sensitive.
As of now, there is no official confirmation on damage, cause, or operational impact of the latest KC-135 emergency. The situation remains under review.
Recent security concerns
The development follows earlier regional incidents involving aerial assets. In March, reports emerged of a KC-135 being lost in an attack in western Iraq, claimed by Iran-backed armed factions under the name Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
The group stated the action was taken “in defence of sovereignty and airspace,” according to reports cited by Reuters.
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