Several American military aircraft crashed over Kuwait on Monday morning, but all crew members survived, Kuwaiti authorities have confirmed, as the broader Gulf conflict enters a third day.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said several U.S. warplanes went down early Monday. All flight crews were rescued, evacuated by search and rescue teams, and transported to hospitals for medical evaluation, where they are said to be in stable condition. The cause of the crashes is under investigation.
Black smoke was also seen rising near the United States Embassy in Kuwait City, according to reporters on the ground, as regional tensions heightened with continued Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Gulf.
U.S. Central Command later clarified that three of the American fighter jets, identified as F-15E Strike Eagles, were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in what was deemed a friendly-fire incident during active combat operations involving Iranian aerial assaults. All six aircrew ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition.
The incident marks the first known loss of U.S. aircraft since the conflict between the United States, its allies and Iran intensified, with Tehran launching widespread retaliatory attacks following major U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Authorities in Kuwait, which hosts significant U.S. forces as part of long-standing defence arrangements, have acknowledged the mishap and said they are working closely with U.S. counterparts as investigations continue.
The clashes have also triggered air-raid sirens across several Gulf capitals and sparked concerns among residents about escalation, with explosions and air defences activated in neighbouring countries as the crisis deepens.
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