WASHINGTON: The death of U.S. Air Force Major Alex Klinner has sparked controversy over how Washington officially classifies its military operations against Iran.
Klinner was killed in March when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq while supporting U.S. strikes against Iran. His widow was initially told that the absence of a formal declaration of war could affect benefits for the family.
The Air Force later acknowledged that the information was incorrect. Officials said Klinner’s final payment included combat-related hazard pay and tax benefits.
The incident has nevertheless renewed questions over the Trump administration’s description of the Iran fighting as a “military conflict” rather than a formally declared war.
