Iranian forces shot down a US F-15 fighter jet early Saturday, April 4. Right now, American and Iranian forces are racing to find the missing crew member. This incident marks the first US fighter jet lost inside Iran since the war began.
American special forces successfully rescued one of the two F-15 crew members. However, the second pilot remains missing. Meanwhile, an Iranian television reporter stated that anyone who captures the crew member alive will receive a valuable reward.
The Iranian military’s central operational command confirmed the strike. They stated their IRGC Aerospace Force destroyed the jet in central Iranian airspace using an advanced air defense system.
F-15 Shot Down: A Desperate Search & Rescue Mission
The hunt for the missing F-15 pilot is intensifying. Furthermore, Iranian fire struck two US Black Hawk rescue helicopters during the search efforts. However, the crew members aboard these helicopters remained unharmed.
Retired US Brigadier General Houston Cantwell emphasized the immediate dangers. He noted that a downed pilot must prioritize concealment, determine their location, and figure out how to communicate without being captured.
Mounting Aircraft Losses
The F-15 is not the only aircraft lost recently. Iran also downed a US A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf. US media reports confirm that special forces also rescued the A-10 pilot.
Additionally, the US military previously announced several other aircraft losses during the Iran operations. These include a tanker that crashed in Iraq and three F-15s destroyed by Kuwaiti friendly fire.
Escalating War & Global Impact
This conflict erupted over a month ago. It began when US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Consequently, the retaliation spread the conflict across the Middle East. Fresh airstrikes continue to hit economic and industrial sites in Israel, Iran, Lebanon, and other Gulf countries. This widespread war is heavily convulsing the global economy and impacting millions worldwide.
Despite the chaos, President Donald Trump stated that the F-15 loss will not affect negotiations with Tehran. Speaking to NBC, he bluntly stated:
No, not at all. No, it’s war.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president has received a full briefing on the situation.
