A video circulating on social media allegedly shows a US F-15 Eagle pursuing suspected Iranian Shahed-136 drones over Iraqi airspace. The footage, widely shared by pro-Iran channels, appears to capture an aerial chase followed by a large explosion and thick smoke rising from the ground.
Several accounts on X have claimed the American fighter jet was unable to intercept at least two of the relatively low-cost drones, framing the incident as a possible escalation. There has been no official confirmation from the US or its allies about the authenticity of the video or the accuracy of those claims.
Observers link the footage to a reported drone strike on an oil facility in Erbil, in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The targeted site, reportedly associated with Castrol and operated by the Sardar Group, was said to have been hit by multiple drones, triggering a major fire and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
The reports arrive amid rising regional tensions. Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Seyed Ali Mousavi, recently indicated Tehran is considering possible strikes on British military bases. Since conflict flared following US‑Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, Iraq has been caught under pressure from both Washington and Tehran.
Armed groups linked to Iran, including factions within the Popular Mobilisation Forces, have claimed attacks on US‑linked targets while facing retaliatory airstrikes. Iran has also continued operations against Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq.
There has been no independent verification of the video or a full, official account of events, and the claims in social media posts remain unconfirmed.
