US Central Command confirms friendly fire incident as strikes on over 1,000 Iranian targets intensify amid global outrage over Khamenei’s killing
Kuwait: In a dramatic escalation amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict, Kuwait’s air defence systems mistakenly shot down three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets flying in support of Operation Epic Fury, the US military confirmed.
The United States Central Command said in a post on X that the incident occurred at 11:03 pm on March 1, when Kuwaiti air defences erroneously engaged the American aircraft. However, all US pilots successfully ejected and were reported safe.
Kuwait has acknowledged the error, describing it as an accidental engagement during heightened military operations in the region. The United States expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support extended by the Kuwaiti defence forces during the ongoing mission. An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the friendly fire incident.
Over 1,000 Iranian Targets Hit
Meanwhile, US Central Command stated that since launching coordinated strikes on Saturday, American forces have targeted more than 1,000 sites across Iran. According to the statement, these included command and control centres, facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, integrated air defence systems, ballistic missile infrastructure, naval vessels, submarines, anti-ship missile installations and military communication hubs.
The strikes follow the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli operation, an event that has triggered sharp international reactions.
Global Calls for De-Escalation
Several countries have condemned the assassination and urged both Washington and Tehran to immediately halt hostilities and resume diplomatic dialogue. Governments across regions have described the situation in the Gulf as extremely volatile, warning that prolonged conflict could severely impact global peace, energy security and economic stability.
As military operations continue and investigations into the friendly fire episode proceed, global leaders are intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional war.
