The widow of a U.S. soldier killed in operations supporting the Iran conflict stated that she was informed her family would be denied combat benefits because the Pentagon does not officially categorize the engagement as a war. Libby Klinner said an officer assisting her after the death of her husband, Major Alex Klinner, told her the family would not receive hazard pay or combat-related tax breaks because "we were not at war."

Major Klinner, 33, died on March 12 when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq. He was assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron and was among six crew members killed in the incident. He left behind three young children.

"My husband lost his life because we're in a war," Libby Klinner told the Associated Press. "It all comes down to principle." She added that grieving families should receive clear answers about their entitlements from the outset.

Following her statement, the Air Force contacted Klinner again, acknowledging that her husband's benefits had been itemized incorrectly and that combat pay and tax exclusions were indeed included. Officials confirmed on Thursday that they had provided inaccurate information and that she was receiving all entitlements owed.

Vice President JD Vance was asked about Klinner's case during a White House briefing on Thursday. A reporter requested that he ensure the family received its benefits. Vance asked for Klinner's name and pledged that the administration would contact her directly. "We want to be as helpful as we can and ensure she gets everything that she is entitled to," he stated.

During the same briefing, Vance debated the classification of the Iran conflict as a war, noting the absence of "active shooting," though he acknowledged areas where hostilities had occurred. The conflict has reportedly lasted over six months and resulted in the deaths of 18 American service members.

A formal war declaration is not a prerequisite for hostile fire or imminent danger pay, which can amount to $225 per month under military regulations.

Libby Klinner expressed that no Gold Star family should need to become an expert in government terminology to understand their entitlements. "Alex understood the risks that came with his service, and he trusted that if the worst happened, his family would be taken care of," she said.

Senior commanders had previously warned Pete Hegseth that sustained operations in Iran could potentially weaken U.S. defenses in other regions and domestically, according to a report last week in The Washington Post.