Tehran on Monday said a US F-15 fighter aircraft had come down over Kuwait, with Iranian state-linked media circulating videos that they claim show the American pilot ejecting moments before the jet crashed.
The claim comes at a time of rapidly worsening hostilities across West Asia, with missile and drone exchanges stretching from Iran to the Gulf. While footage of a parachute drifting down and a man on the ground has spread widely online, there has been no independent verification of the visuals.
Iranian outlets, including Tasnim and Press TV, carried the material. In a Telegram post, Press TV captioned an image: “American pilot after his fighter jet crashed in Kuwait.”
Earlier, IRNA cited local sources in a post alleging that a US F-15 had been shot down in Kuwaiti airspace.
There was no immediate comment from Washington on the reported crash, nor any official word on the pilot’s condition. It also remains unclear whether the aircraft was on a combat mission or engaged in routine activity at the time.
️ | An F-15 fighter jet of the US Air Force has reportedly crashed over Kuwait during an active operation, with early reports suggesting a possible “friendly fire” incident. #BreakingNews #USAirForce #F15 #Kuwait #USMilitary #MiddleEast #DefenseNews #TheStatesman pic.twitter.com/nsoQBtLbcY
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) March 2, 2026
Explosions reported across Gulf capitals
The reported incident unfolded amid a widening regional conflict that began after joint US-Israel strikes targeted Iranian military and missile facilities. Iranian state media have said the first wave of attacks killed senior leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has since responded with waves of drones and missiles aimed at what it describes as US and Israeli positions in the region.
Press TV also shared video clips on X highlighting what it described as Iran’s large drone fleet, followed by footage of strikes on “US-Israeli targets.”
Regional media reported fresh blasts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while loud explosions were heard in Doha, according to Al Jazeera. Arab News said Iranian missiles and drones had also been directed towards Kuwait and Bahrain. A Reuters eyewitness reported smoke rising near the US embassy in Kuwait.
Earlier in the day, the Kuwait Army said its Air Defence Force had intercepted “a number of hostile aerial targets” in the early hours.
Iran rules out talks; interim leadership meets
Amid the escalating situation, Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran would not negotiate with the United States.
State media also reported that the Provisional Leadership Council met for a second time, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi. The council was formed after the reported killing of Khamenei and senior security officials in the ongoing strikes.
According to Iranian state media, at least 201 people have died across 24 provinces in the attacks, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Further confirmation is awaited from the US and Kuwaiti authorities regarding the alleged aircraft crash.