A military incident unfolded in the Middle East when three U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defense systems during a combat operation connected to the growing regional conflict involving Iran.
Officials from United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the aircraft involved were F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets that were operating during a defensive mission while Iranian forces launched missiles and drones across the region.
The jets were part of the U.S. military response following the joint United States and Israel strikes that targeted Iranian military and government facilities.
According to CENTCOM, Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly engaged the American aircraft while attempting to intercept incoming Iranian threats.
The incident occurred as regional defense systems were responding to a wave of attacks launched after the operation that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
All six members of the U.S. aircrews aboard the three fighter jets successfully ejected before the aircraft went down.
Military officials confirmed that the pilots and weapons systems officers were later located and safely recovered. Authorities reported that all six service members are in stable condition.
Several videos circulating online appear to show one of the American pilots on the ground after ejecting from the aircraft.
In the footage, local residents approach the pilot and offer assistance while confirming she is safe.
Officials have not fully verified every video shared on social media but confirmed that all personnel survived the incident.
The friendly-fire event happened amid escalating hostilities following the start of the U.S. military campaign against Iranian military infrastructure.
President Donald Trump announced the operation earlier, describing it as a major military effort aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting locations connected to U.S. forces and allied countries across the region, including installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The attacks have raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
CENTCOM said an investigation is now underway to determine how the Kuwaiti air defense systems mistakenly identified the American fighter jets as hostile targets during the intense aerial defense operations.
Despite the loss of the aircraft, U.S. officials emphasized that the survival and recovery of all six aircrew members prevented what could have been a far more serious tragedy during an already volatile military confrontation in the Middle East.
