A US Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has crashed close to Ali Al‑Salem Air Base in Kuwait on March 2, according to multiple news reports. The aircraft was seen spiralling toward the ground with visible flames from one of its engines before crashing.

The Kuwaiti Defence Ministry spokesperson confirmed that search and rescue operations were immediately launched by the relevant authorities. The crew members were evacuated and transported to a nearby hospital for medical checks, and their condition has been confirmed as stable.

Video footage shared on social media and verified by international outlets shows the fighter jet descending in flames near the base, which is used by US forces operating in the Middle East. At least one pilot ejected safely before the aircraft hit the ground, and local reports suggest they were assisted after ejecting.

The exact cause of the crash remains unclear. It is not yet known whether it resulted from hostile action, friendly fire, or a technical malfunction. US military officials have not released an official statement confirming how the jet went down.

The incident comes amid ongoing conflict in the region following recent military operations involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which have driven increased air activity and heightened risks for military aircraft.

In the video and subsequent released photos and videos, US pilots were reportedly surrendering themselves to local Kuwaitis.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior confirmed that the country's air defence systems successfully downed several aerial threats in the early hours of the morning near the Al-Rumaythiya and Salwa areas.

Despite the interception, no casualties were reported, and the situation in the country is described as stable.

This comes amidst growing military activity in the region, particularly involving Iran. The Iranian military has been carrying out strikes on various Gulf cities, retaliating for a US-Israeli attack on Iranian territory.

On March 1, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health reported at least one fatality and 32 injuries, all foreigners, due to the escalating violence linked to the regional conflict. These attacks are part of a broader wave of Iranian aggression, which has targeted Gulf countries either directly or indirectly.

Kuwait and its Gulf neighbours face a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, as Iranian strikes have impacted their territories. However, Gulf capitals have firmly rejected Iran’s narrative that these strikes are exclusively aimed at US interests.

In response to these developments, foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have declared that the option to retaliate against what they described as Iranian aggression is now on the table. They emphasized that these attacks violate the sovereignty of nations and the principles of good neighbourliness, reiterating their rejection of any use of their territories to launch attacks on Iran.