U.S. Central Command has confirmed the loss of three multirole F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets over Kuwaiti territory. The incident occurred due to an error by local air defense, which identified the allied aircraft as enemy targets. Despite the loss of modern military equipment, all crew members managed to eject safely and were recovered by rescue teams. The Persian Gulf region is at its highest level of combat readiness due to escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Loss of Three F-15Es

American fighter jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defense due to an identification error.

Crews Safe

All pilots managed to eject and were evacuated from the scene without serious injuries.

Regional Tension

The incident occurred during heightened combat readiness and Qatar's interception of Iranian missiles.

Pentagon Investigation

The USA has launched an investigation to explain the failure of friend-or-foe identification systems and communication gaps.

A serious friendly fire incident in Kuwait led to the loss of three advanced U.S. combat aircraft. Initial reports, including those from Iranian media, suggested deliberate hostile action, but the U.S. Department of Defense and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense quickly clarified that a tragic mistake by the emirate's allied forces had occurred. F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were mistakenly identified as a threat by Kuwaiti air defense systems, resulting in the launch of surface-to-air missiles. Military sources suggest that 'friend-or-foe' identification systems may have failed or been ignored under conditions of extreme tension related to the ongoing regional conflict. This situation triggered an immediate diplomatic response at the highest level. Kuwait, one of the key U.S. partners outside NATO structures, expressed deep regret over the incident and pledged full cooperation in investigating the causes of the disaster. The U.S. command CENTCOM emphasizes that, despite the severe material loss, the priority remains the fact that all six aircrew members survived. Numerous videos documenting the moment the aircraft were hit and the pilots' descending parachutes have been shared on social media. Military experts note that the friendly fire incident is a rare but tragic testament to the informational chaos accompanying high-intensity military operations. Meanwhile, Qatar reported the successful interception of Iranian missiles heading towards Al-Udeid Air Base, further heightening the state of threat in the region. The military alliance between the USA and Kuwait was significantly strengthened after 1991, when an international coalition led by Washington liberated the emirate from Iraqi occupation during Operation Desert Storm.The Pentagon has already announced the launch of a detailed investigation to determine why routine communication procedures between allied command centers failed. There is a possibility that the incident will force a revision of protocols for sharing air target data, especially as the United States continues to deploy additional air squadrons to the Middle East to deter Iran. According to analysts, such a costly mistake could affect the pace and scope of future U.S. arms purchases by Kuwait, as well as the intensity of joint air defense exercises. „It was an unfortunate friendly fire incident, but we are grateful that all our pilots are safe.” — Pentagon Spokesperson