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Three United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during active combat operations, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on March 2, 2026, marking the first loss of U.S. aircraft since the start of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

All six crew members aboard the aircraft safely ejected, were recovered shortly afterward, and are reported to be in stable condition.

The incident highlights the growing complexity and volatility of the regional conflict, which has rapidly expanded across Gulf states following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran launched on Saturday.

According to CENTCOM, the aircraft were operating during intense combat conditions that included incoming Iranian aircraft activity, ballistic missile launches, and drone attacks targeting Gulf countries.

“During active combat, that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones, the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” the command said in a statement.

At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.

Read more:https://t.co/i2y3Q3vo2E

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

Kuwait acknowledged the incident and confirmed that a joint investigation with U.S. forces is underway to determine how allied air defenses engaged friendly aircraft.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense stated that several U.S. aircraft had crashed within the country and that surviving pilots were transported to hospitals after recovery operations coordinated between Kuwaiti and American authorities.

Video footage circulating online showed one warplane spiraling downward with flames and smoke trailing from its tail before crashing in Kuwait’s Al Jahra area. Separate footage showed pilots parachuting safely and later receiving assistance from residents.

Senior U.S. military officials emphasized that the aircraft were not downed by enemy fire. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine confirmed the loss but declined further comment pending the investigation.

Missile and Drone Attacks Across Kuwait

The shootdown occurred as Kuwait faced a new wave of Iranian retaliatory drone and missile activity for a third consecutive day.

Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted multiple hostile drones approaching the capital, with authorities reporting successful interceptions near the Rumaithiya and Salwa neighborhoods. Civil defense officials said no civilian casualties were reported from the drone interceptions.

Residents across Kuwait reported loud explosions and air-raid sirens throughout Monday morning as defense systems remained active.

Iranian state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iranian forces had struck a U.S. aircraft that later crashed in Kuwait, a claim contradicted by U.S. military officials who described the losses as accidental.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that U.S. military bases and allied facilities across the Gulf would be targeted following ongoing American and Israeli strikes against Iranian territory.

Smoke Reported Near US Embassy

In a separate development, smoke was seen rising from the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait City, prompting the deployment of fire trucks and ambulances to the area.

No official confirmation was immediately provided regarding the cause of the incident, and both the U.S. Embassy and the State Department declined to comment.

The embassy later issued a security alert warning American citizens of a continuing threat of missile and drone attacks across Kuwait. U.S. nationals were advised not to approach embassy facilities and to shelter in place, remain on lower floors of buildings, and stay away from windows.

Falling debris linked to aerial interceptions slightly injured two workers at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery, according to Kuwait National Petroleum Company officials.

The widening conflict has increasingly affected civilian infrastructure and commercial centers across Gulf states, with Iranian strikes reportedly impacting aviation routes and economic hubs throughout the region.

Explosions were also reported by witnesses in Dubai and Qatar’s capital Doha, underscoring the expanding geographic reach of the confrontation.

Turkey’s transport ministry announced the suspension of flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, contributing to widespread regional air travel disruptions and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

Rising US Casualties and Domestic Concerns

The Pentagon confirmed that a fourth U.S. service member has died from injuries sustained during operations linked to the Iran campaign, bringing total confirmed American fatalities in the conflict to four.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military operations against Iran were aimed at degrading Tehran’s missile forces, naval capabilities, and broader security infrastructure, while rejecting concerns that Washington was entering a prolonged conflict.

“This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” Hegseth said, while acknowledging that military objectives would require time to achieve.

General Caine similarly warned that operations would involve “difficult and gritty work” and would not be completed quickly, even as additional U.S. forces continue deploying to the Middle East.

President Donald Trump has indicated that military operations against Iran could continue for several weeks and warned Americans to expect further casualties as strikes intensify.

My message to the Joint Force. pic.twitter.com/erCP9mAp21

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) March 2, 2026

Recent polling conducted over the weekend showed only about one-quarter of Americans support U.S. strikes on Iran, with public concern increasingly focused on risks to deployed U.S. troops.

Conflict Continues to Escalate

The accidental downing of allied aircraft underscores the operational risks emerging as multiple air defense systems, combat aircraft, drones, and missile attacks operate simultaneously across crowded Gulf airspace.

Kuwait earlier condemned what it described as “indiscriminate and reckless attacks with missiles and drones against sovereign territories across the region,” warning that escalating military exchanges threaten regional stability.

Since the launch of the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran, Tehran has expanded retaliatory strikes against military installations and civilian areas across the Middle East, targeting locations linked to U.S. and allied forces.

With missile exchanges continuing and regional airspace increasingly militarized, Monday’s friendly-fire incident illustrates how quickly the conflict is spreading beyond its original battlefield, raising concerns among military planners about escalation risks and unintended confrontation among allied forces operating under combat pressure.