Overview
- CENTCOM said three F-15E Strike Eagles supporting Operation Epic Fury were mistakenly engaged by Kuwaiti air defenses during active combat, with all six aircrew ejecting and recovering safely as an investigation proceeds.
- Kuwait’s defense ministry confirmed several U.S. aircraft crashed and coordinated rescues, while two workers were injured by falling debris at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery and a Reuters witness saw smoke near the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City.
- Iran’s state media and the IRGC claimed a U.S. jet was downed and circulated video of a burning aircraft and ejections, a narrative U.S. and Kuwaiti officials counter with the friendly-fire account still under review.
- CENTCOM reported Iran targeted regional sites that included major airports and the Port of Dubai, and Kuwaiti authorities said air defenses intercepted hostile drones and missiles threatening key locations.
- U.S. officials reported three service members were killed and five seriously wounded in a strike at Camp Arifjan over the weekend, as embassy alerts, temporary closures, and thousands of flight cancellations disrupted travel across Gulf hubs.