Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker loses contact over Strait of Hormuz after emergency call.
May 5, 2026: A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker has reportedly gone missing after transmitting a “7700” general emergency signal over the Persian Gulf near Iran. Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft was en route to Qatar when it issued the distress call and subsequently disappeared from radar.
The “7700” squawk code is internationally recognised as a signal for a serious in-flight emergency. Reports suggest the aircraft was engaged in refuelling operations when the alert was triggered. Around the same time, disruptions such as GPS jamming and spoofing were observed in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
There has been no official confirmation yet from the US government or United States Central Command regarding the aircraft’s status. The development comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over safety and security in the region.