\u201cDuring active combat-that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones \u2013 the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,\u201d Centcom said, saying the three jets \u201cwent down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident\u201d.<\/p>\n
Centcom added that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation and that additional information would be released as it becomes available.<\/p>\n
We reported in an earlier post<\/a> that several American warplanes had crashed in Kuwait this morning but the cause was unclear.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n EU officials are meeting today to discuss Iran and the wider regional conflict. \u201cThe stability of the region is of the utmost importance: The only lasting solution is a diplomatic one,\u201d Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, told reporters this morning. You can keep up with all the latest developments in our Europe live blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.34 EST<\/p>\n What we know so far…<\/p>\n A joint statement from Gulf states and the US strongly condemned Iran\u2019s \u201cindiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks\u201d across the region, which they warned threaten regional stability.<\/p>\n It said attacks have taken place in Bahrain, Iraq (including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq), Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.<\/p>\n A major new front in the war, started by Israel<\/a> and the US on Saturday, opened on Monday when Hezbollah launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran\u2019s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, over the weekend.<\/p>\n Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon on Monday have killed at least 31 people and injured 149, according to Lebanon\u2019s health ministry.<\/p>\n The Iranian Red Crescent Society said at least 555 people have been killed in Iran by Israel-US attacks across 131 cities since Saturday.<\/p>\n The US\u2019s allies in the Gulf states came under renewed attack from Iranian missiles and drones. There were loud blasts in Dubai and Samha in the UAE, and in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Saudi Arabia shut its biggest refinery after drone strikes caused a fire there.<\/p>\n Kuwait air defences mistakenly shot down three US F15 fighter jets flying in Iran-related operations, the US Central Command (Centcom) said earlier today. All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered and are in stable condition.<\/p>\n In Cyprus, two drones heading for a UK base were intercepted, after an earlier attack last night.<\/p>\n The mass evacuation of cities across the Middle East may be necessary if civil nuclear power stations are attacked leading to radiological release, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA UN nuclear inspectorate, warned.<\/p>\n Grossi said there was no indication that any of Iran\u2019s nuclear installations have been damaged or hit after the recent US and Israeli strikes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Two drones heading towards RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus intercepted, spokesperson says<\/p>\n Two unmanned drones heading towards RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus were \u201csuccesfully intercepted\u201d, Cyprus government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis has said.<\/p>\n This comes after an Iranian drone was reported to have crashed into the UK military base last night. The incident is not thought to have caused any casualties and only limited damage. You can read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.07 EST<\/p>\n The Guardian\u2019s Caribbean correspondent, Natricia Duncan<\/a>, and Kejan Haynes have filed this report:<\/p>\n On Saturday, the Caribbean woke up to the news of the US-Israeli attack on Iran. This was just hours after leaders had wrapped-up an extraordinary regional summit<\/a>, attended by Marco Rubio and one that exposed strong divisions over US policies.<\/p>\n Dominated by concerns about the Trump administration\u2019s military interventions in the region \u2013 with deadly strikes against suspected drug boats, an attack on Venezuela and an oil blockade on Cuba \u2013 the meeting ended with a commitment to send humanitarian aid to Cuba.<\/p>\n On Iran<\/a>, governments emphasised de-escalation and negotiations as tensions intensified over the weekend. But there were notable differences in tone and positioning.<\/p>\n The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, poses for a family photo with Caribbean Community (Caricom) heads of governemnts and leaders in Saint Kitts and Nevis, on 25 February 2026. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst\/Reuters<\/p>\n Trinidad and Tobago, a strong US ally, whose prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has consistently showered Trump and Rubio with praise, expressed its \u201csupport<\/a> for the continued actions of the United States of America aimed at preventing oppressive regimes from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities that would jeopardize international peace and security\u201d.<\/p>\n Guyana adopted a firmer tone<\/a>, condemning what it described as an \u201cunprovoked attack by Iran\u201d on Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait.<\/p>\n While the Barbados government expressed concern<\/a> \u201cthat military action affecting a number of other countries in the region has the potential to undermine international peace and security,\u201d, adding that it joined UN secretary general Ant\u00f3nio Guterres in condemning the military escalation and calling on member states to \u201crespect their commitments under international law\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.05 EST<\/p>\n More now from Cyprus, the EU state closest to the conflict, where authorities have opened emergency shelters following Iran\u2019s combat drone strike against RAF Akrotiri.<\/p>\n The island\u2019s interior ministry said civil defense forces had also been seconded to inform citizens of steps to be taken in the event of an attack.<\/p>\n One local official in the village of Akrotiri told the Guardian that residents were \u201cpanicked by the blast of sirens and fearful of what might happen\u201d in the wake of the British prime minister\u2019s decision to allow the UK\u2019s military installations to be used by the US against Iran\u2019s missile cache<\/a>.<\/p>\n As part of authorities activating the civil defense plan trained wardens will be relegated to neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n An emergency reception centre has been set up in Limassol, the nearest town to Akrotiri, to accommodate citizens, many of whom are choosing to leave villages in the affected area.<\/p>\n A police checkpoint on a road leading up to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after the suspected drone strike. Photograph: Yiannis Kourtoglou\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.55 EST<\/p>\n A vessel in the Port of Bahrain has been hit by two \u201cunknown projectiles,\u201d the UK maritime security watchdog has reported.<\/p>\n The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKTMO), which provides mariners, shipping companies the regional authorities with verified and corroborated security information, issued an alert this morning.<\/p>\n \u201cUKMTO received a report of an incident in the Port of Bahrain. The Company Security Officer reported that the vessel had been struck by two unknown projectiles causing a fire.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fire has been extinguished and the vessel remains in port. All members of the ships crew are safe and have evacuated the vessel.\u201d It said authorities were investigating.<\/p>\n \u201cVessels are to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,\u201d it added. A huge fire at the port, home to the US Navy\u2019s central command and fifth fleet, was reported on Sunday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.08 EST<\/p>\n US says three jets ‘went down’ over Kuwait ‘due to an apparent friendly fire incident’<\/p>\n Kuwait air defences mistakenly shot down three US F15 fighter jets flying in Iran-related operations, the US Central Command (Centcom) said. All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered and are in stable condition, it said in a statement which you can read in full here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring active combat-that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones \u2013 the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,\u201d Centcom said, saying the three jets \u201cwent down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident\u201d.<\/p>\n Centcom added that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation and that additional information would be released as it becomes available.<\/p>\n We reported in an earlier post<\/a> that several American warplanes had crashed in Kuwait this morning but the cause was unclear.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Iran’s ‘reckless’ attacks threaten regional stability, US and allied Gulf states say<\/p>\n We can now bring you a joint statement<\/a> from the US and six allied Gulf states \u2013 Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates \u2013 condemning Iran\u2019s \u201cindiscriminate and reckless attacks\u201d across the region, which they say \u201ctargeted sovereign territories, endangered civilians, and inflicted damage on civilian infrastructure\u201d. The statement goes on:<\/p>\n double quotation markIran\u2019s actions represent a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability. <\/p>\n Targeting civilians and non-combatant states is reckless behavior that undermines stability. <\/p>\n We stand united in defense of our citizens, our sovereignty, and our territories, and we reaffirm our right to self-defense in the face of these attacks, while underscoring our commitment to regional security and commending the effective cooperation in air and missile defense that prevented greater loss of life and destruction.<\/p>\n The statement says attacks occurred in Bahrain, Iraq (including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq), Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n Motorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of Doha on 1 March 2026. Photograph: Mahmud Hams\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n We have a picture showing the moment an apparent fighter jet falls from the sky in Kuwait and someone parachuting to safety (see earlier post<\/a> for more details).<\/p>\n Composite images of a burning aircraft falls from the sky in Al Jahra, Kuwait, and a person parachuting to safety. Photograph: Social Media\/via REUTERSShare<\/a>Saudi Arabia halts some operations at Ras Tanura refinery after reported attack<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia\u2019s energy ministry has said some operations at its Ras Tanura refinery had been halted on Monday, after an attack that caused a fire at the complex.<\/p>\n The ministry was quoted as having said the refinery sustained \u201cminor damage from falling debris\u201d due to the interception of \u201ctwo drones in the refinery\u2019s vicinity\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cSome operational units at the refinery were shut down as a precautionary measure, without any impact on the supply of petroleum products to local markets,\u201d an official source at the ministry said in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.<\/p>\n The Ras Tanura complex houses one of the Middle East\u2019s largest refineries with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day (see earlier post<\/a> for more details).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Iran\u2019s nuclear programme has been among the reasons Israel<\/a> and the US have given for the attacks, alleging Iran was getting too close to being able to eventually make an atom bomb.<\/p>\n Iran has a stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, close to weapons grade, but has expressed willingness<\/a> to down-blend the purity to 20% or below.<\/p>\n Iran says it is not pursuing weapons and that its programme is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes.<\/p>\n \u201cAn Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American,\u201d Donald Trump said as he tried to justify his attacks, despite the fact that there is no credible evidence Iran was trying to build a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons that would allow them to extort the world to their evil will. Not going to happen,\u201d the US president said.<\/p>\n![\"Helena](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772455147_151_helena.jpg\")
Helena Smith<\/p>\n![\"Lisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lisa-OCarroll-byline-004.jpg\")
Lisa O\u2019Carroll<\/p>\n
![\"Trump](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1919.jpg\")
Trump says attacks on Iran to continue until ‘objectives are achieved\u2019 – video