Photo: Getty Images
Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were "mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses" during Operation Epic Fury, the major combat operation in Iran that also resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement shared on its website Monday (March 2).
"At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident," the statement reads. "During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.
"All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.
"The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available."
The incident took place one day after CENTCOM confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded during Operation Epic Fury on Sunday (March 1). The Iranian regime gave a public warning claiming it was preparing to launch “the most devastating offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces" against U.S. bases at any moment while confirming the death of Khamenei during an attack by American and Israeli force.
“The most devastating offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces will begin toward the occupied territories and American terrorist bases in just moments,” the regime said via the semi-official Fars News Agency at around 6:15 a.m. local time.
Iran has launched retaliatory attacks on Israeli and American assets in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Oman in the hours following reports of Khamenei's death.