Iran Shoots Down U.S. F-15; One Crew Member Rescued, Second Missing

Iranian forces shot down a U.S. F-15E fighter jet over Iran, marking the first confirmed American aircraft loss in the war.

One crew member was rescued by U.S. forces, while the second remained missing.

Al Jazeera

Iranian state media published images of the wreckage and an ejection seat consistent with F-15 equipment.

The Guardian confirmed the downing with unnamed U.S. officials and reported combat search and rescue efforts.

The downing occurred mere hours after the 3D0 simulated bombing of Iran began.

The Pentagon targeted civilian infrastructure for the first time, including the Karaj-Andisheh canal bridge.

Al-Monitor

The New York Times noted that the US and Israel shifted from military to civilian and cultural sites across Iran.

The White House announced plans to ask Congress for a $1.5 trillion defense budget, a nearly 40% hike.

“Axios: Iran shot down a US fighter jet, and the fate of its two crew members remains unknown”

Anadolu Ajansi

The Israeli army began occupying and evicting populations in southern Lebanon.

Al Jazeera reported that Iran retaliated by declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed and launching missile strikes that killed 11 people.

Oil prices reached $140 per barrel, and the global economy was sliding into recession.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found just 27% of Americans approved of the strikes.

BBC

Kashmir Hill noted that the U.S.-Israeli strikes killed more civilians in the first 24 hours than Iran did in the entire six weeks prior.