The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that three US F-15 fighter jets crashed in Kuwait.
According to CENTCOM, the aircraft were participating in Operation Epic Fury when they were mistakenly shot down by friendly fire. The incident occurred amid continuous drone and missile attacks from Iran.
CENTCOM said Kuwait’s air defense system accidentally targeted and downed the US jets. All six pilots ejected safely, were recovered, and have been transferred to hospital. They are reported to be in stable condition.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
Earlier, the Kuwaiti authorities had said several US military aircraft crashed in Kuwait early on Monday as Iranian retaliatory strikes intensified across the Gulf region. All crew members survived and were reported in stable condition.
The incidents unfolded amid air raid sirens, intercepted drones, and rising regional tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that multiple US military aircraft went down early Monday. The crews were evacuated, transferred to hospital, and are in stable condition.
The ministry did not specify how many aircraft were involved but said the response was coordinated with U.S. forces.
Online video verified by Reuters showed a military aircraft falling from the sky in the Al Jahra area, with a person parachuting in the same frame.
F-15 fighter jet incident
Separate footage circulating online captured the crash of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet in Kuwait. Residents were seen assisting an injured American pilot, placing him in a vehicle while urging others to call an ambulance.
Witnesses in the video can be heard saying, “Call an ambulance… He’s American, leave him,” as they worked to ensure his safety.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the F-15 was shot down or suffered a technical failure. The cause remains under investigation.
Smoke near US Embassy in Kuwait City
Smoke was seen rising near the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait City, according to a Reuters witness. Fire trucks and ambulances were present at the scene.
The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
The embassy later warned American citizens of an ongoing missile and drone threat. It advised people not to approach the embassy and urged them to shelter in place, remain on the lowest floor of their residences, stay away from windows, and avoid going outside.
Kuwait intercepted hostile drones for the third consecutive day, as Iranian retaliatory strikes continued against Gulf states.
Air defenses reportedly neutralized the majority of drones near the Rumaithiya and Salwa neighborhoods, according to the director-general of civil defence cited by the state news agency. No injuries were reported from those interceptions.
Kuwait sounded at least three rounds of air raid sirens in recent hours. Loud blasts were also heard in Dubai and in the Qatari capital, Doha, according to Reuters witnesses.
Falling debris injures refinery workers
Two workers were slightly injured by falling debris at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, Kuwait National Petroleum Company said in a statement on X. The injuries were described as minor.
Iranian state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that Iranian armed forces hit a U.S. plane that later crashed in Kuwait.
Iranian reports further alleged that a U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down after violating Iranian airspace, with debris falling inside Kuwaiti territory. Officials said the aircraft had entered restricted airspace and was successfully intercepted, though full details about the pilot were not immediately provided.
Tehran has previously warned it would target U.S. bases in the region following weekend strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
