US Central Command Denies Claims of F-15E Crash in Iran

The US Central Command has officially denied claims circulating on social media about an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashing in Iran. The rumors, attributed to the account 'OSINTdefender,' suggested the jet was downed by Iranian air defenses during a strike mission. The Central Command labeled these reports as baseless. This incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which have led to retaliatory actions from Iran against US and Israeli military installations in the region. The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the escalating conflict.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 19:20 IST

US Military Responds to F-15E Crash Rumors

Washington DC: Following allegations that Iran's air defenses had downed a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, the Central Command of the United States dismissed these reports as "baseless" and "false." The claim originated from an account on X, known as "OSINTdefender," which suggested that a US F-15E had crashed in southern Iran. In a post on X, the US Central Command stated, "Rumors circulating on social media regarding a U.S. F-15E crash in Iran early Wednesday are baseless and NOT TRUE."

The account "OSINTdefender," which boasts around two million followers, including notable figures like Elon Musk, claimed that the F-15E was involved in a strike mission over southwestern Iran when it crashed. The post indicated that while the cause of the incident remains unclear, at least one source suggested it was due to Iranian air defenses, and both the pilot and the Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) managed to eject safely.

Previous Incidents Involving F-15E Jets: The US has previously experienced losses of three F-15E Strike Eagles due to friendly fire from Kuwait's air defense systems. In those incidents, all six pilots successfully ejected and were later recovered in stable condition. The US Central Command confirmed that the three jets were mistakenly targeted amid ongoing combat operations, a situation acknowledged by the Kuwaiti Army, which stated that their defense systems were responsible for the downing of the aircraft and that they played a role in ensuring the safety of the crew members.

Tensions in the Middle East have intensified following coordinated airstrikes by the US and Israel against Iran, part of operations dubbed Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. These strikes targeted several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on military bases and oil facilities associated with the US and Israel in Gulf nations such as the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar.