The Pentagon has identified six US service members killed in a KC-135 crash in Iraq, ruling out hostile fire as the cause of the accident.

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has released the names of six US service members killed in the crash of a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft in western Iraq. Authorities have stated the crash was not caused by hostile fire.

The aircraft went down on Thursday during operations against Iran. A second aircraft involved in the same mission landed safely.

The six crew members killed were John Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky. The first three were members of the US Air Force.

Also killed were Seth Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio. The latter three were stationed with the US Air National Guard.

The crash remains under investigation by Pentagon officials. US Central Command has previously stated the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed factions, claimed to have downed the KC-135. The group also said it targeted another plane that escaped.

Since the start of the Middle East war, the alliance has claimed daily attacks on US interests across Iraq and the region. The KC-135 crash marks at least the fourth US military aircraft lost during the conflict.

Three F-15s were previously shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait. All six crew members in that earlier incident were able to eject safely.

KC-135s have been in operation for more than 60 years and typically carry a crew of three. Some missions require a navigator, and the aircraft can carry up to 37 passengers.

The war, which began on February 28, has seen combat involving attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. The crash brings the number of US troops killed in operations against Iran to at least 13.

 The Sun Malaysia