Kuwait air defence systems accidentally shot down three U.S. F-15 fighter jets on Monday during active combat operations, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which described the event as an apparent friendly-fire incident linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
CENTCOM said all six crew members aboard the aircraft were able to eject safely. They were later recovered and were reported to be in stable condition.
According to the U.S. military, the mistake happened during a period of heavy military activity that included incoming Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones.
CENTCOM Says Kuwait Has Acknowledged the Incident
In its statement, CENTCOM said the U.S. fighter jets were mistakenly targeted by Kuwaiti air defences while combat operations were underway.
The command added that Kuwaiti authorities had acknowledged the incident and confirmed that an investigation is now in progress.
The episode marks a serious setback for allied coordination as Gulf states remain under pressure from continued Iranian retaliation following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Footage Shows Warplane Falling Over Kuwait
Video footage circulating on Monday appeared to show a U.S. military aircraft falling from the sky over Kuwait, with one person seen parachuting to safety.
Reuters said it verified the footage as having been filmed in the Al Jahra area of Kuwait, supporting reports of the aircraft losses.
In a separate development, smoke was also seen rising near the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait City. A Reuters witness reported that ambulances and fire trucks were present in the area.
At the time of reporting, neither the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait nor the U.S. State Department had responded to requests for comment about that incident.
Iranian Retaliatory Strikes Continue Across the Gulf
Earlier on Monday, Kuwait intercepted what were described as hostile drones, marking the third straight day of Iranian retaliatory attacks on neighbouring Gulf states.
The strikes come after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to broaden its response across the region.
Iranian state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had earlier claimed that Iranian forces hit a U.S. aircraft that later crashed in Kuwait.
Online footage reviewed by Reuters from the Al Jahra area showed a military aircraft descending rapidly while a parachute was visible in the same frame.
Falling Debris Injures Workers at Refinery
Kuwait’s National Petroleum Company said two workers suffered minor injuries after falling debris struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery.
While the injuries were described as slight, the incident highlights the growing risk to civilian infrastructure as the conflict spills further into the Gulf.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait also issued a warning to American citizens, saying there remained an ongoing threat of missile and drone attacks across the country.
The embassy advised U.S. nationals not to travel to the compound and urged those in Kuwait to shelter in place, remain on the lowest floor of their buildings, stay away from windows and avoid going outside.
Kuwait Intercepts Most Drones as Region Remains on Alert
Kuwaiti authorities said no injuries were reported after air defences intercepted most of the drones near the neighbourhoods of Rumaithiya and Salwa.
The state news agency cited the head of civil defence as saying that the majority of the incoming threats had been stopped before causing major harm.
Elsewhere in the region, Reuters witnesses reported hearing a series of loud explosions in Dubai and in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Similar blasts and warning sirens were also heard earlier in Kuwait.
Gulf Cities Face Rising Pressure
Tehran has said it will target U.S. military bases across the region in response to the joint U.S.-Israeli assault launched on Saturday.
In addition to military targets, Iranian attacks have also affected civilian and commercial areas in Gulf cities, increasing pressure on key aviation routes, trade corridors and strategic infrastructure.
As the conflict widens, the mistaken downing of U.S. aircraft by a close regional ally underscores the growing chaos and danger surrounding military operations in the Gulf.