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.
Some accounts on X have claimed the American fighter jet was unable to intercept at least two of the relatively low-cost drones, suggesting a potential escalation in tensions. There has been no official confirmation from the US or its allies regarding the authenticity of the video or the claims.
The incident is believed linked to a reported drone attack on an oil facility in Erbil, in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The targeted site, a plant associated with Castrol and operated by the Sardar Group, was reportedly struck by multiple drones, triggering a major fire and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
The attack comes 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 the outbreak of conflict following US‑Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, Iraq has been squeezed between pressures from the United States and Iran. Armed groups linked to Iran, including factions within the Popular Mobilisation Forces, have claimed attacks on US‑linked targets while facing retaliatory airstrikes, and Iran has continued operations against Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq.
