Iran, allies hit back on multiple fronts as US jets fall in Kuwaiti ‘friendly fire’

Middle East war hits oil, shipping and aviation as fighting escalates

- MPOST BUREAU

A black plume of smoke rises from a warehouse at the industrial area of Sharjah City in the United Arab Emirates following reports of Iranian strikes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday.

The war ignited by the joint United States and Israeli assault on Iran widened sharply on Monday, drawing armed groups, regional powers and global markets into a rapidly escalating conflict whose consequences are now being felt far beyond the battlefield.

Missiles, drones and airstrikes struck multiple countries across the Middle East, oil and gas facilities came under attack, and international travel ground to a halt, underscoring fears that the confrontation is sliding toward a prolonged regional war with no clear path to deescalation.

Iran and allied militias launched missiles and drones at Israel, Gulf Arab states and US military targets across the region in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while Israel and the United States intensified strikes on Iranian military and strategic infrastructure.

The pace and geographic spread of the violence reflected the fulfilment of longstanding Iranian threats to widen any direct conflict to include energy assets, shipping lanes and US partners in the Gulf.

The chaos of the expanding war was illustrated in Kuwait, where overlapping air defences and incoming fire led to a rare and dangerous mistake. The US military said Kuwaiti air defences “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets during a combat mission as Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones were active in the skies. US Central Command said all six aircrew members ejected safely, were recovered, and were in stable condition.

Kuwait acknowledged the incident, and Washington said it was grateful for Kuwaiti support during the operation.