US F-15E Shot Down Over Iran; One Pilot Rescued, Search Continues for Second

A US Air Force F-15E was shot down inside Iran, the first confirmed American jet loss on Iranian territory.

“Iranian forces have said they struck down two fighter jets belonging to the United States military, one over the southwest part of the country and another around the Strait of Hormuz”

Al Jazeera

One crew member was rescued, while the search continues for the second.

Al Jazeera

Iran circulated images and urged civilians to hunt down the pilots, offering rewards.

A Black Hawk helicopter involved in the rescue was hit by ground fire and made an emergency landing.

Approximately 16 minutes after the F-15E was downed, an A-10 Warthog was also struck near the Strait of Hormuz.

The A-10 pilot was rescued safely.

Amu TV

The UN Security Council delayed a vote on Britain's draft resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.

The Pentagon acknowledged the shootdowns.

“Istanbul / Anadolu Agency — Donald Trump, the President of the United States, declined to comment on any possible Washington action in the event that the missing pilot of a downed F-15 Eagle fighter jet in Iran is detained or injured”

Anadolu Ajansı

A CNN-Ipsos poll showed that 43% of Americans opposed the strikes.

The Council on Foreign Relations warned the approach was becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The conflict expanded beyond Iran and southern Lebanon.

Israeli forces struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut.

DW

Bahrain suffered civilian casualties when debris from a downed Iranian drone fell.

The intensifying regional ramifications underscored a broader Middle East conflagration.