US fighter jet crashes in the Gulf

Dubai: The US Navy says a fighter jet has crashed into the Gulf near the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, but both crew members were rescued safely by divers.

The Navy cited engine failure on the F/A-18F Super Hornet as the reason for Monday’s crash. An investigation is underway.

The Eisenhower is on a scheduled deployment in the Gulf region under the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain.

The US has expanded naval manoeuvres and drone surveillance in the region to counter growing Iranian military activity.