A US fighter jet was shot down over southwestern Iran on Friday, marking the first loss of a piloted American aircraft inside Iranian territory in more than 20 years. The incident has sparked an urgent search-and-rescue mission and raised fears of a further escalation in the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.
The aircraft, an F‑15E Strike Eagle, had two crew members. One was rescued, while the other remains missing. US special forces have launched an operation to locate the pilot, with Iran reportedly urging civilians to assist and offering a bounty.
Earlier, a US A‑10 attack plane was also downed, but its pilot ejected safely and was rescued after crossing into Kuwaiti airspace. During the rescue mission, two US Black Hawk helicopters came under fire from Iranian forces. While they returned to base, some crew members were injured.
These developments challenge earlier US claims of air superiority over Iran. Despite weeks of US and Israeli strikes, Iran still retains significant air defense capabilities, including missile and drone systems.
The conflict has expanded beyond air engagements. Iranian missiles have hit targets in Israel and other parts of the Middle East, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. In response, Israeli forces have targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and military sites inside Iran.
The war began in late February 2026 with coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Since then, it has spread across the Gulf region, resulting in thousands of casualties and disruptions to global energy supplies. Efforts by the United Nations and other countries to broker a ceasefire have so far failed.
The downing of US jets and the ongoing search for the missing pilot signal a dangerous new phase in the conflict.
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