Iranian and American forces engaged in a race on Saturday to rescue a crew member of the first US fighter jet downed inside Iran during the ongoing conflict. An Iranian TV reporter mentioned that capturing a crew member alive would result in a “valuable reward.”
According to Tehran, they shot down an F-15 warplane, while US sources reported that United States special forces successfully rescued one crew member, with the other still missing. In addition, Iran’s military claimed to have downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, with reports indicating the pilot was rescued.
The conflict began over a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei. This led to retaliatory actions spreading throughout the Middle East, causing global economic turmoil and affecting millions of people worldwide.
US Central Command did not immediately comment on the F-15 loss, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that “The president has been briefed.” President Donald Trump assured that the F-15 loss would not impact negotiations with Iran, emphasizing that it was not related to war.
A spokesperson for the Iranian military’s central operational command reported that an American fighter jet in central Iranian airspace was destroyed by the IRGC Aerospace Force’s advanced air defense system. The jet was completely destroyed, and search operations are ongoing.
The US military confirmed the loss of multiple aircraft during operations in Iran, including a crashed tanker in Iraq and three F-15s shot down by friendly fire from Kuwait. Retired US brigadier general Houston Cantwell, an experienced combat pilot, highlighted the importance of a pilot’s training in such situations.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, criticized the Trump administration for its handling of the conflict. Fresh strikes targeted Israel, Iran, and Lebanon, with concerns rising about disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran’s former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, suggested making a deal with Washington to end the war by offering concessions in exchange for sanctions relief.
The situation remains tense with threats of increased attacks on energy sites in the region. Gulf states are on high alert after recent attacks, with Iran accusing them of supporting US actions. Beirut in Lebanon also faced Israeli military strikes, leading to casualties and destruction. The conflict continues to escalate with no clear resolution in sight.
