 "Kuwait says 'several' US warplanes crashed, crews safe as Iran continues Gulf strikes")
Several US warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning, but all crew members survived, the defence ministry said, as Iran continued a third day of strikes in the Gulf.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defence ministry spokesman said, adding that the cause was under investigation.
“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their condition is stable,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, several loud blasts were heard across Doha on Monday morning. Residents reported alarm following the sounds, prompting emergency responses, AFP reported. The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear.
A video circulated on social media showed the fighter jet turning into a fireball before falling from the sky and crashing to the ground. The footage quickly spread online as details about the incident remained limited.
Fighter jet crashes in Kuwait, video geolocated by CNN shows. Follow live updates. https://t.co/lcGcg55OBm pic.twitter.com/cbt4zIJIgY
— CNN International (@cnni) March 2, 2026
The F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter jet designed for the US Air Force for air superiority. Introduced in 1976, it holds an undefeated 104-0 air-to-air combat record as of 2026. Reports said the incident may have involved friendly fire, though there has been no official confirmation. Iran, however, claimed it “shot down” the jet.
Quick Reads
View AllAccording to initial reports, the jet seen crashing in Monday morning footage may have been struck by friendly fire after being engaged by a Patriot air defence battery. Kuwait’s confirmation that more than one aircraft had crashed has cast doubt on those claims.
Systems such as the Patriot rely on advanced radar and encrypted communication to identify a ‘friend’ or a ‘foe’ before launching interceptor missiles. Friendly fire incidents, while serious, are not uncommon during periods of intense conflict.
Earlier on Monday, a video geolocated by CNN to Kuwait showed a fighter jet engulfed in flames before plunging into a tailspin. Analysis suggested the aircraft came down within about 10 kilometres of Ali Al Salem Air Base, a major US military installation in Kuwait.
According to CNN’s assessment, the twin-engine aircraft visible in the footage is consistent with either an F-15E or an F/A-18 fighter jet. It remains unclear which air force operated the aircraft, as Kuwait’s air force also flies F/A-18 jets.
Officials from United States Central Command and the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been approached for comment, but no official confirmation on the precise circumstances of the crash has been issued so far.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot successfully ejected before the aircraft went down and is safe. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show the fighter jet descending rapidly before crashing, with separate footage appearing to show the pilot after ejecting.
The Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company said debris from the aircraft fell inside the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, injuring two workers. Emergency teams were deployed at the site.
Conflict widens across Middle East
The reported crash came as Israel launched fresh air strikes targeting Tehran while expanding operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israeli strikes hit Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, with multiple explosions reported across the capital.
Israel said it targeted sites linked to Hezbollah after the group acknowledged launching missiles and drones toward Israel following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Air raid sirens were triggered across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, after Iran’s state media reported a new wave of missiles launched from central Iran toward what it described as “enemy locations”.
Kuwait said its air defences intercepted hostile drones amid continued retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf states. Separate incidents were also reported overnight at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where a suspected drone strike caused limited damage without casualties.
Assault on Iran to continue unabated
A senior White House official said the ongoing US–Israeli military campaign against Iranian targets could continue for weeks, adding that “Operation Epic Fury continues unabated.” Donald Trump indicated Washington may eventually engage with potential new leadership in Iran, though military operations remain ongoing.
Masoud Pezeshkian said a temporary leadership council had assumed the duties of Supreme Leader following Khamenei’s death, while senior Iranian figures signalled that negotiations with Washington were unlikely.
 "Iran Israel War Live Updates: UK prepares to evacuate citizens from Middle East amid escalating conflict")
 "The plan to kill a Supreme Leader: How CIA tracked Iran's Khamenei for months and finally struck")
 "From Dubai to Bahrain: How Iran’s relentless strikes have upended world’s busiest airports")
 "Sensex plunges 1600 points; Nifty slips nearly 2% as US–Israel strikes on Iran roil markets")
 "Iran Israel War Live Updates: UK prepares to evacuate citizens from Middle East amid escalating conflict")
 "The plan to kill a Supreme Leader: How CIA tracked Iran's Khamenei for months and finally struck")
 "From Dubai to Bahrain: How Iran’s relentless strikes have upended world’s busiest airports")
 "Sensex plunges 1600 points; Nifty slips nearly 2% as US–Israel strikes on Iran roil markets")
