US loses two planes in Iran war: What we know so far
Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter and an A-10 attack plane in separate incidents. Rescue operations continue in Iranian territory following Trump's statements.
Two US military aircraft were shot down by Iranian fire on Friday, according to media reports. An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter and an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack plane were downed in separate incidents during joint US and Israel strikes on Iran. This has triggered a high-risk search-and-rescue mission inside Iranian territory, as tensions escalate following President Trump's statements about Iran's supposed defensive incapacity.
The F-15E, assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, was shot down over central Iran. Both crew members ejected, and US special forces managed to rescue one alive within Iran. The search for the second continues, though rescue helicopters HH-60W faced small arms fire from Iranian militias, as seen in videos on social media.
The A-10 was hit while supporting rescue operations. The pilot managed to navigate the damaged aircraft out of Iranian airspace before ejecting over Kuwait, where he was recovered. This incident contradicts Trump's earlier claims about Iran's lack of anti-aircraft equipment.
Iranian officials called the events a 'black day' for the US military, while Tehran scrambles to apprehend the crew members. The Pentagon and CENTCOM have yet to comment officially, though the House Armed Services Committee was notified about the F-15E loss. Trump stated the downing won't affect peace negotiations, which Iran insists are not taking place.
