Israeli F-15
Israeli F-15Israel news photo: Flash 90

A U.S. Air Force F-15E fighter crashed on Thursday during a routine training mission in the Middle East.

According to a report in The Associated Press, both crew members ejected safely. Investigators have ruled out insurgent activity as a cause for the crash.

The Air Force would only say that the crash happened in southwest Asia, a broad term that includes the Persian Gulf region, and would not specify the exact location.

There was no indication that the crash took place near Iran, which in the past has threatened a “crushing response” if attacked.

Iranian’s parliamentary speaker also recently warned Gulf Arab nations that Tehran "will not forgive" them if they continue backing "U.S. plots" against the Islamic Republic.

An Air Force statement said rescuers made their way to the scene of the crash, and the cause of the accident was being investigated.

“We can say that it was not due to any hostile fire or insurgent activity,” Air Force spokesman Maj. James Bressendorff told AP.