Image captured from the viral social media footage

A video circulating on social media appeared to show a US F-15 fighter jet pursuing what seemed to be an Iranian Shahed drone over Iraqi skies.The footage shows the jet closing in on the drone amid cloudy skies. The pilot tried to position the aircraft in front of the UAV but overshot. Despite the pilot attempting to regain a favourable position, the drone ultimately escaped.Accounts sharing the video on X claimed that the $1 million American F-15 “failed to intercept” at least two relatively inexpensive $20,000 Shahed-136 drones.Thick plumes of smoke were visible in the background even as the jet engaged the UAV, suggesting that the first drone may have already struck its target.Many have claimed that the video showed an Iranian strike on the British engine oil company Castrol in Erbil, Iraq, which reportedly triggered a massive fire. So far, neither the United States nor its allies have confirmed the incident.The facility, operated by the Sardar Group, was reportedly targeted by three separate UAVs during the attack.On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, igniting the ongoing Middle East conflict. In retaliation, Iran has targeted Gulf states hosting US bases, as well as Israeli territory. The UK, a key US ally, along with other American partners, has declined to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.In response to the war, Tehran has effectively blocked the vital waterway, which handles around 20% of the world’s crude oil supply.