Generally, US pilots/crews were under strict orders not to open fire unless targets were positively…

The Iraqi ground control was as cautious because it was ‘missing’ one of its own MiG-29s: they lost radio contact with it and became…

Generally, US pilots/crews were under strict orders not to open fire unless targets were positively identified by AWACS (with specific exceptions, it was the same on the Iraqi side). Thus, although few other Hornet-pilots saw the MiG-25 passing by, they didn’t open fire.

The Iraqi ground control was as cautious because it was ‘missing’ one of its own MiG-29s: they lost radio contact with it and became convinced Dawoud was about to attack that MiG, not one of US aircraft.

Iraqis knew that the war already started: after all, Speicher was shot down about two hours after first US air strikes, and after an entire series of air combats.