US F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft downed over Iran; one of two crew members rescued and in US custody, while search efforts for the second continue.==
Iranian state media claims credit for the downing, releasing images purporting to show wreckage consistent with an F-15. The incident challenges recent assertions by US and Israeli officials regarding perceived air superiority over Iran.
Iran is reportedly offering a reward for the capture of any US pilots found.==
This development follows earlier reports of US military losses, including multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones and a separate "friendly fire incident" involving three F-15s over Kuwait. The downed F-15E represents the first instance of Iran claiming to have shot down a piloted US combat aircraft since the commencement of the US-Israel conflict against Iran on February 28.
Read More: US F-15E Strike Eagle downed over Iran on Friday creates new military and diplomatic risks
US forces initiated immediate search and rescue operations following the incident. Videos circulated online appearing to depict US Air Force HC-130 refueling helicopters operating over Iran.
The downing of the fighter jet occurs amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, with the US president making no immediate public comment on the specific incident on his social media platform, instead referencing Iranian oil. The situation raises questions about the efficacy of US claims of dominance in Iranian airspace and adds another layer to the complex negotiations between the two nations.
