In a significant friendly fire incident duringĀ Operation Epic Fury, threeĀ U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike EagleĀ fighter jets were shot down byĀ Kuwaiti air defenses.Ā U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)Ā confirmed the event occurred around 7:00 a.m. local time as the aircraft were engaged in combat operations to interceptĀ IranianĀ missiles, drones, and aircraft. WhileĀ Iranās state mediaĀ and theĀ Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)Ā claimed responsibility for the downed jets, American officials have formally rejected those assertions, attributing the loss to a mistaken engagement by allied forces.
All six aircrew members aboard the three jets successfully ejected and were recovered in stable condition.Ā CENTCOMĀ expressed gratitude toward theĀ Kuwaiti defense forcesĀ for their rapid search-and-rescue efforts, which were geolocated byĀ ReutersĀ near theĀ Al JahraĀ region, west ofĀ Kuwait City. Visual evidence from the scene showed at least one aircraft falling and pilots being assisted by local responders. AlthoughĀ Kuwaiti authorities initially referenced engaging “hostile aerial targets,” they have since acknowledged the error and are cooperating with U.S. investigators. At aĀ PentagonĀ briefing, Gen.Ā Dan Caine, chairman of theĀ Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the loss of the aircraft and emphasized that the incident did not result from hostile enemy fire. Defense SecretaryĀ Pete HegsethĀ remained silent on the matter during the same briefing. As a joint investigation continues, the focus remains on the technical measures and coordination failures that led to this high-stakes tactical error during a period of intense regional activity.
