Tension rippled across Kuwait City on Monday after smoke and flames were seen rising from the U.S. Embassy compound while regional fighting intensified following weekend strikes on Iran.
According to the New York Post, the embassy warned Americans to stay away as the situation unfolded. “Do not come to the Embassy,” the notice said, urging people to remain indoors and take cover.
Images circulating online showed dark plumes lifting from inside the compound, though it remained unclear whether the embassy itself had been directly hit.
Ayman Moawad, an Egyptian resident who lives nearby, said he noticed the smoke but could not confirm its cause.
At nearly the same time, a video posted online showed a U.S. F-15 crashing roughly 30 miles outside Bayan, west of Al Jahra.
Footage indicated the pilots ejected safely before the aircraft went down. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the crash.
The developments come as fighting across the region escalates. Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon late Sunday after the group fired rockets, calling the attack “revenge for the blood of the Supreme Leader of the Muslims, Ali Khameini,” according to statements from both sides.
U.S. and Israeli officials have indicated the military campaign inside Iran could continue for weeks.
In Washington, Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine were scheduled to brief the media Monday morning on the operation, known as “Operation Epic Fury.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are also set to brief the congressional “Gang of Eight” before appearing with defense leaders before the full Congress.
For now, the cause of the embassy smoke remains uncertain, and authorities have not confirmed any direct strike on the compound.
