Three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were downed in what American officials described as a friendly fire incident during the early stages of the expanding conflict in the Middle East.
According to U.S. Central Command, the aircraft were mistakenly targeted amid heightened aerial operations over the Gulf region. The incident occurred as U.S. and allied forces conducted large-scale strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, creating one of the most congested and volatile airspaces in recent years.
The Pentagon said investigations are underway to determine how the misidentification occurred, with early indications pointing to air defence coordination failures. Officials did not immediately release detailed information regarding pilot status, though search and recovery operations were initiated.
The loss of three advanced fighter aircraft marks a significant operational setback and highlights the risks of rapid escalation involving multiple actors operating simultaneously in contested airspace. The incident comes as U.S. involvement in the conflict deepens, with hundreds of strikes reported across Iranian territory and rising casualties on multiple fronts.
