US warplanes crash in Kuwait as Iran war escalates

Several United States military aircraft crashed in Kuwait on Monday, the country’s Ministry of Defense confirmed, as regional tensions linked to the widening conflict with Iran continue to intensify.

In a statement, ministry spokesperson Col. Said Al-Atwan said “several United States military aircraft” were involved in the incidents but stressed that all crew members survived.

Kuwaiti authorities immediately launched search-and-rescue operations, evacuating the crews from the crash sites and transferring them to hospital for medical checks. Officials described their condition as stable and said necessary treatment had been provided.

The ministry added that Kuwait is in direct coordination with US authorities over the incidents.

Footage geolocated by CNN showed what appeared to be a fighter jet engulfed in flames before spiraling downward and crashing near a US military facility. The network’s analysis suggested the aircraft resembled an F-15E strike fighter. One video also captured a pilot ejecting and descending safely by parachute.

The crash site appeared to be within roughly 10 kilometers of the Ali Al Salem Air Base, a major hub for US military operations in Kuwait.

The cause of the crashes has not been disclosed. US officials, including those from United States Central Command, have yet to release a detailed statement.

The incidents come amid sustained military operations across the Gulf region. According to CENTCOM, more than 1,000 targets have been struck in recent days, focusing on military infrastructure, naval assets and facilities associated with Iran’s security forces.

Smoke was also reported in areas surrounding the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, heightening concerns about the broader security environment.

While aircraft mishaps are not uncommon in complex combat theatres, multiple crashes in a short timeframe are likely to prompt formal investigations by US military authorities.

In a similar incident in 2024, a US Navy vessel mistakenly fired on an F/A-18 operating from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. Both pilots ejected safely, and the episode was subsequently investigated.
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