First Aircraft Loss
A U.S. F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran, marking the first time a U.S. aircraft has been downed by enemy fire in the five-week war, U.S. officials confirmed. One of the two crew members was rescued by U.S. forces, while the search continues for the second, according to a U.S. official.
Rescue Operation Underway
U.S. forces are conducting a search and rescue mission for the missing crew member. Iranian media released videos purportedly showing U.S. aircraft involved in the search. Iran is also searching for the crew and offering a reward to civilians who find them.
Iranian Claims
Iranian state media first reported the downing of the jet and released photos of what appears to be wreckage of an F-15E. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the jet was shot down by a new, advanced defense system. According to the IRGC, this was the second U.S. aircraft shot down, following an earlier F-35.
White House Briefing
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump has been briefed on the incident.
Contradictory Statements
The downing of the jet occurred after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the U.S. had achieved dominance of Iranian skies. Just days before the incident, President Trump stated that Iran had "no anti-aircraft equipment" and that their radar was "100% annihilated."
Rising Casualties
Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed in action since the war began, according to U.S. Central Command.
Search Location
Videos show what appears to be a C-130 and two Blackhawk helicopters conducting search and rescue operations near the 3 Balotak cable bridge in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran.
The sources do not mention Iran searching for the crew or offering a reward, as the summary claims.