Iran05 April, 20261 min read
US F-15E Shot Down Over Iran; One Pilot Rescued, Search Continues for Second
Two U.S. fighter jets were shot down over Iran. One crew member rescued; other pilot remains missing, search ongoing.
American Fighter Downed
A US Air Force F-15E was shot down inside Iran, the first confirmed American jet loss on Iranian territory. One crew member was rescued, while the search continues for the second.
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.
Second Aircraft Downed
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. The UN Security Council delayed a vote on Britain's draft resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.
Pentagon and Congress React
The Pentagon acknowledged the shootdowns. 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.
Regional Escalation
The conflict expanded beyond Iran and southern Lebanon. Israeli forces struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut.
Bahrain suffered civilian casualties when debris from a downed Iranian drone fell. The intensifying regional ramifications underscored a broader Middle East conflagration.
