BY PC Bureau
March 2: Three US F-15E ‘Strike Eagle’ fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in what American military officials described as separate “friendly fire” incidents, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Monday evening, marking a dramatic escalation in the widening US-Israel war with Iran.
“All six aircrew (two per plane) ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defence forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
According to the command, at 11:03 p.m. ET on March 1, three F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwaiti airspace following an apparent friendly fire incident.
Kuwait had earlier reported that “several US military aircraft had crashed,” without offering further details.
Visuals widely shared on social media showed one of the fighter jets spiralling downward in flames before the two pilots ejected seconds before impact.
The incidents come amid intensifying hostilities across West Asia following US-Israel missile strikes on Saturday that targeted Iranian regime and military installations. Tehran retaliated with waves of missiles and armed drone attacks aimed at Tel Aviv and US military bases across the region.
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
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the conflict, triggering what analysts describe as a rapid and unpredictable escalation.
On Monday morning, explosions were reported across major Gulf cities as Iran expanded its response. Blasts were also heard in Jerusalem after the Israeli military said it had identified missiles launched from Iran and activated air raid sirens.
Saudi Aramco temporarily shut its Ras Tanura oil refinery after it was struck by Iranian drones. The facility, one of Saudi Arabia’s most critical refining hubs, plays a key role in global oil supply. The attack has heightened fears of broader disruption to regional energy infrastructure, particularly in an already strained oil market.
READ: Iran’s Drones Bomb Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura Oil refinery
READ: F-15 Seen in Flames Over Kuwait in Dramatic Footage Shared by Iran
Over the past 72 hours, the scale and intensity of attacks on both sides have increased sharply, with Iran-backed Hezbollah and other non-State actors entering the conflict.
The war has also caused widespread civilian disruption across affected countries.
Dubai International Airport — one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs — was forced to suspend operations for several hours. A luxury hotel in the city was reportedly struck by an Iranian missile.
Meanwhile, Tehran claimed a US-Israel strike hit a school in the southern town of Minab, killing more than 160 people, including children — a claim that could not be independently verified.
