A US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet spiralled out of control and crashed six miles from Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait during an Iranian missile assault on American facilities, with video footage capturing flames engulfing its engine as the pilot ejected safely.
The incident, part of escalating “Operation Epic Fury” retaliation following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has left the status of the jet’s weapons systems operator unknown, amid unconfirmed claims by Iran of downing the aircraft.
US Central Command confirmed three soldiers from an Army logistics unit were killed and five wounded at the Kuwait base since Saturday, with additional minor injuries reported from shrapnel and concussions.
President Donald Trump vowed to “avenge” the fallen troops, labelling them “true American patriots,” while cautioning that “there will likely be more casualties before the war ends,” as major combat operations persist.
The conflict broadened Monday when Israel launched strikes on Lebanon, killing over 30 and injuring 149 in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah fired rockets and drones at northern Israel—including near Haifa—in revenge for Khamenei’s assassination.
Iran has intensified missile and drone attacks on US bases across the Middle East, including UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and toward Israel, with many intercepted but explosions echoing in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Kuwaiti defences reported no local casualties.
Causes of the F-15 crash remain speculative—possibly Iranian hit, friendly fire from crowded airspace, or malfunction—with Pentagon probes ongoing and no official attribution yet.
Trump’s administration, monitoring Khamenei for months, struck during a high-level Iranian meeting, also targeting Revolutionary Guard leaders; Tehran vows further reprisals.
The flare-up marks the third day of regional war, with US-Israeli operations crippling Iranian defences while drawing multi-front responses, raising fears of broader instability.
Global markets jittery, analysts warn of oil disruptions as Gulf airspace closures compound tensions.
