Watch: US warplanes shot by friendly fire in Kuwait, smoke rises from US embassy

Updated 12.40pm

Black smoke rose from the US embassy in Kuwait on Monday, an AFP correspondent saw, while Kuwait mistakenly shot down US warplanes causing no casualties, as Iran pressed on with a third day of Gulf retaliation.

A US base and a power station were also targeted, in what was the most dramatic escalation for the small Gulf country in decades, after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Baghdad's attempt to take over Kuwait in 1990.

"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.

Iran's army said it targeted the US Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait as well as vessels in the Indian ocean.

"Missile units of the army's ground and naval forces operating from various locations targeted the US Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait as well as enemy vessels in the northern Indian Ocean over the past hours," the army said in a statement.

It added that "15 cruise missiles" were used in the attacks.

Three witnesses described seeing smoke billow over a power station in northern Kuwait and smoke rising from the US embassy.

The embassy in Kuwait did not announce it had been hit, but issued a security alert urging people to stay away.

"There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV (drone) attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy," the statement said, adding: "US embassy personnel are sheltering in place."

The Iranian attacks have so far killed five people in the Gulf, according to authorities, including one person in Kuwait.

The small, oil-rich country has a large US military presence stemming from the 1990 Iraqi invasion, which was repelled by a US-led coalition aiding the Kuwaiti army.

The defence ministry also said "several" US warplanes crashed, but all crew survived and were in stable condition. It added that authorities were investigating the incident.

"Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment," the ministry said, adding that their condition was stable.

Worried residents

In northern Kuwait, smoke billowed over a power station, three witnesses told AFP.

An energy ministry spokeswoman said a fuel container at the station had been hit by shrapnel as air defences were intercepting drones, causing a limited blaze.

Separately, Iran's army said it targeted the Ali Al Salem air base hosting US troops in Kuwait, as well as vessels in the Indian Ocean, firing 15 cruise missiles.

Also on Monday, shrapnel fell at Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, one of Kuwait's biggest, injuring two workers, but did not disrupt production, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company said.

Sirens sounded over Kuwait City on Monday to warn of incoming strikes. An unspecified number of drones were intercepted at dawn, the interior ministry said.

Dana Abbas, a Kuwait City resident and engineer, said she was worried about the escalation and had rushed to fill her car with petrol and stock up on basic necessities.

On Sunday, the UAE said fallen debris hit the facade of Etihad Towers, which houses diplomatic embassies include Israel's, causing minor injuries to a woman and a child.

Iran's unprecedented bombardment has hit military bases but also civilian infrastructure such as residential buildings, hotels, airports and sea ports, rattling a region long seen as a refuge from Middle East conflict.