/https://i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/b/n/iuom8bTayjfHUrGee05w/screenshot-3.jpg)
Several U.S. Military aircraft crashed in Kuwait on Monday, March 2, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense. The incidents occurred on the third day of conflict between American forces and Iran, escalating tensions in the region.
Kuwait’s military initially reported that “several” American fighter jets had fallen within the country, with the circumstances of the crashes under investigation. The U.S. Central Command later stated that three F-15 fighter jets, operating in support of Operation Epic Fury – the American offensive against Iran – went down over Kuwaiti territory due to what appeared to be friendly fire.
“We can confirm all crew members survived,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the command, all six crew members were able to safely eject and were recovered.
“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuated the crew, and transported them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their condition is stable,” the statement read.
Previously verified images from the BBC and CNN appear to show the moment one jet was downed near Kuwait City.
Explosions, smoke and destruction: images of the U.S. And Israeli attack on Iran
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/e/J/710JmPRdal6vB6SzPNuA/114064059-this-image-grab-taken-from-iranian-state-television-broadcasted-on-february-28-2026-show-w.jpg)
1 of 12
Image captured from Iranian state television shows the site that would be the school of the primary school for girls in the Iranian province of Hormozgan, near the Strait of Hormuz. — Photo: IRIB TV / AFP
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/U/z/MQ3xcCRsqQDyTaNmVyRQ/114063405-this-video-grab-taken-from-ugc-images-posted-on-social-media-on-february-28-2026-and-verif.jpg)
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/U/z/MQ3xcCRsqQDyTaNmVyRQ/114063405-this-video-grab-taken-from-ugc-images-posted-on-social-media-on-february-28-2026-and-verif.jpg)
2 of 12
Video frame shows people inspecting the damage at a site hit after U.S. And Israeli attacks in Tehran — Photo: AFP
X of 12
Publicity
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/G/x/xEt85vQQCTHlS7ylwEKw/114063003-this-video-grab-taken-from-ugc-images-posted-on-social-media-on-february-28-2026-and-verif.jpg)
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/G/x/xEt85vQQCTHlS7ylwEKw/114063003-this-video-grab-taken-from-ugc-images-posted-on-social-media-on-february-28-2026-and-verif.jpg)
3 of 12
Video frame shows explosions in Tehran after U.S. And Israel bombed the capital in a coordinated attack on Iran — Photo: AFP
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/F/M/XeftTCQB6smexHdC0ASA/afp-20260228-99aa2bj-v2-midres-topshotiranisraelusconflict.jpg)
4 of 12
Smoke rises after an alleged Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, al-Qatrani. U.S. And Israel bomb the capital of Iran, Tehran, in a coordinated attack — Photo: Rabih DAHER / AFP
X of 12
Publicity
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/8/p/yrZNXqRDWY6NCLex0eFA/114063941-topshot-this-video-grab-taken-from-ugc-images-posted-on-social-media-on-february-28-2026.jpg)
5 of 12
Iranian missile hits U.S. Naval base in Bahrain — Photo: AFP
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/H/G/bJgUSiSXiZyoclVJJPkg/114063899-a-smoke-plume-rises-over-abu-dhabi-from-the-site-of-an-iranian-missile-strike-on-february.jpg)
6 of 12
Smoke rises in the skies of Abu Dhabi amid Iran’s retaliatory attack for aggression from the U.S. And Israel — Photo: AFP
X of 12
Publicity
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/F/M/XeftTCQB6smexHdC0ASA/afp-20260228-99aa2bj-v2-midres-topshotisraeliranusconflict.jpg)
7 of 12
The trail of a rocket from Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system is visible over the skies of Jerusalem — Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/N/V/hKEAiLR665UwVCoqevxQ/114062745-smoke-rises-from-the-site-of-an-israeli-airstrike-that-targeted-the-southern-lebanese-area.jpg)
8 of 12
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike site in the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani. U.S. And Israel bomb the capital of Iran, Tehran, in a coordinated attack — Photo: Rabih DAHER / AFP
X of 12
Publicity
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/q/p/IAMbksTVKNERhEquUIhQ/afp-20260228-999y46h-v3-midres-topshotiranisraelusconflict.jpg)
9 of 12
U.S. And Israel launch a coordinated attack against Iran; bombs in Tehran (photo) began this Saturday morning (February 28) — Photo: ATTA KENARE / AFP
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/s/i/v3VXvcRxCiIpYjPhCbxg/114063277-people-run-to-take-shelter-as-sirens-sound-in-tel-aviv-on-february-28-2026-the-israeli-mil.jpg)
10 of 12
People rush to shelter as sirens sound in Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces said its attacks against Iran, in coordination with the United States, hit dozens of military installations. — Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP
X of 12
Publicity
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2026/N/S/RAlBAMTB2c3vZNNtjvLQ/afp-20260228-99al2jj-v1-highres-iranisraelusconflict.jpg)
11 of 12
Drivers crowd the streets of Tehran, the capital of Iran — Photo: AFP
12 of 12
The trail of a rocket from Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile defense system is visible over the skies of Jerusalem — Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP
X of 12
Publicity
Images capture smoke, damage in urban areas, and the atmosphere of war spreading across the region.
A video geolocated by CNN shows a jet falling from the sky in a spin, suggesting the aircraft went down less than 10 kilometers from the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
The twin-engine jet is consistent with an F-15E or F/A-18, according to CNN analysis. Kuwait also operates F/A-18 jets.
