Several US warplanes crashed on Monday in Kuwait, the country’s defence ministry said, with all the pilots safely bailing out.

The Kuwaiti Defence Ministry did not elaborate on what caused the crashes, but it came during an intense period of Iranian fire targeting the country.

"Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived," a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.

"Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. He noted that their condition is stable," the statement added.

It comes as the war between Iran and the US and Israel expanded on Monday, with Iran and Iranian-backed militias firing more missiles and drones at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the US Embassy compound in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli forces pounded targets in Iran with statements of defiance from Tehran and increasing casualties in the region.

Fire and smoke rose from inside the embassy compound in Kuwait City and an alarm wailed after the Iranian attack, which came not long after the US issued a warning to Americans there to take cover and for others to stay away.

Meantime, as the American and Israeli airstrikes continued, top Iranian security official Ali Larijani vowed on X that “we will not negotiate with the United States.”

In Iraq, a pro-Iranian militia claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting US troops at Baghdad airport, the day after it said it fired at a US base in the city of Irbil in the north, and Cyprus said a drone attack targeted a British base on the Mediterranean island nation.

Israel and the US bombed Iranian missile sites and targeted its navy, claiming to have destroyed its headquarters and multiple warships. (AP/AFP)




Edited by Edmond Fong