Kuwait Air Defenses Down Three U.S. F-15s in Friendly Fire Incident During Iran Operation

“'Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,' Trump said on Truth Social.”

“'This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,' he added.”

“Kuwait has been a U.S. defense partner in the Middle East since it was liberated by an American-led coalition in the 1991 Iraq War.”

“The biggest problem, though, is that these are highly sophisticated aircraft, systems, and weapons; it takes time to replace them.”

“Earlier, Iranian state media had carried reports citing the Iranian Revolutionary Guards saying they shot down an American plane which landed in Kuwait.”

“Trump has called for regime change in Iran.”

“Three United States fighter jets were 'mistakenly' shot down over Kuwait, the US military has said.”

“The operation began on Saturday morning with a series of strikes that killed the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures within the Iranian leadership.”

“Kuwait's Defense Ministry earlier relayed that multiple aircraft were involved in an incident that occurred as Iranian missile strikes targeted the U.S. Ali Al Salem air base, located roughly six miles from the crash site.”

“The statement read: '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 operation began on Saturday morning with a series of strikes that killed the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures within the Iranian leadership.”

“The conflict was 'not a so-called regime change war', said Hegseth, but the regime 'surely changed and the world is better off for it'.”

“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.”

“Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran over the weekend, four American service members have been killed in action.”

“The jets were downed on the third day of the Iran war -- a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation that Israel has dubbed Roaring Lion and the U.S. is calling Operation Epic Fury.”

“The Iranian Red Crescent says 555 people have been killed in Iran.”

“Geolocation data from the video posted online suggested the collision occurred about 6 miles from the base.”

“The F-15E Strike Eagle was first designed in the 1980s for long-range, high-speed air superiority without relying on escorts or electronic-warfare aircraft.”

“Iranian state television claimed that Iran had targeted one of the U.S. planes that crashed in Kuwait without elaborating.”

“Al-Asar initially thought it was an Iranian pilot, but recognized he was American before rescuers whisked him away.”

“Videos appear to show the moments U.S. fighter jets crashed over Kuwait on Monday local time.”

“Friendly fire incidents are not unusual in wartime because of the confusion of combat and the difficulty in identifying friends or foe.”

“US Central Command (Centcom) said on Monday that three US F15 fighter jets flying in Iran-related operations had mistakenly been shot down by Kuwait air defences.”

“The US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders including the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.”

“The incident comes amid a growing conflict in the Middle East that began with joint U.S.-Israeli attacks against Iran over the weekend.”

“President Trump has warned there will be American casualties during the Iran operation.”

“Three US fighter jets crashed after being mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses, though all six aircrew ejected safely.”

“Footage shared online, and not independently verified by Bloomberg, showed people parachuting out of planes.”

“The jets were supporting Operation Epic Fury when they were hit at 11:03pm ET Sunday, CENTCOM said.”

“Kuwait is one of several Gulf states that have come under Iranian retaliation since the U.S.-Israel strikes began Saturday, with missiles and drones hitting near Kuwait's international airport and U.S. facilities.”

“All six crew members on board the planes were able to eject safely and are in stable condition.”

“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”

“Kuwait's air defenses mistakenly shot down three U.S. F-15 fighter jets during active combat on Monday (March 2), U.S. Central Command said.”

“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.”

“We are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”