Steve Mollman

By Steve Mollman

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The Iran war entered a new and volatile phase on Friday after a U.S. F‑15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran, triggering an urgent American search‑and‑rescue effort. One of the two crew members was rescued but the other remains missing. U.S. officials have confirmed the aircraft loss but have not issued a detailed public account.

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Apr 03, 2026 at 06:04 PM EDT

Trump declines to say how US would respond if missing pilot harmed in Iran

President Donald Trump declined to say what action the United States would take if a missing American pilot is captured or harmed in Iran, as U.S. and Israeli forces continued search‑and‑rescue efforts following the downing of a U.S. fighter jet.

“We hope that’s not going to happen,” Trump said in a brief phone interview with The Independent.

The comments came after an F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran earlier Friday. One of the aircraft’s two crew members was rescued, while U.S. forces continued searching for the second airman, a weapons systems officer.

The Independent reported that Iranian state media urged civilians to hand over any “enemy pilot” to authorities and offered rewards, while local officials in Iran publicly encouraged efforts to capture the missing airman.

Trump has not publicly addressed the shootdown in remarks to reporters, though the White House has said he was briefed on the incident. In a separate interview with NBC News, Trump said the downing of the jet would not affect negotiations with Iran, describing the situation as part of an ongoing war.

The Pentagon has not released details about how the aircraft was brought down, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing rescue operation.

Apr 03, 2026 at 05:30 PM EDT

Iran claims US jet downed using new air defense system

Iranian officials on Friday claimed responsibility for downing a U.S. fighter jet over Iran, saying the incident exposed what they described as false U.S. assertions of air superiority.

In a televised address, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al Anbiya central headquarters, said the downed U.S. jet showed that President Donald Trump’s claims that Iran’s air defense systems had been destroyed were inaccurate. He said the aircraft was brought down using Iran’s “new advanced defense system.”

Zolfaghari also claimed that a second “advanced hostile fighter jet” was targeted south of Qeshm Island, crashing into waters between Qeshm and Hengam Islands.

U.S. officials have confirmed the loss of an American F‑15E Strike Eagle over Iran, saying one of the aircraft’s two crew members was rescued, while a search continued for the second airman. Washington has not publicly detailed how the jet was brought down.

Apr 03, 2026 at 05:17 PM EDT

White House says Trump will not appear before press Friday

The White House on Friday said President Donald Trump would not make any appearance before the press for the rest of the day.

At 4 p.m. EST, the White House called a “lid,” signaling that Trump would not take questions or make public remarks, according to the Associated Press. The call came earlier than usual.

The decision came as U.S. forces continued a sensitive search‑and‑rescue operation after a U.S. fighter jet was downed over Iran. One crew member has been rescued, while the search for a second airman continues.

Trump earlier declined to discuss the rescue effort in detail, saying it was a military matter.

Apr 03, 2026 at 04:22 PM EDT

Trump says downed U.S. jet will not affect negotiations with Iran

President Donald Trump said the downing of a U.S. fighter jet over Iran will not affect any negotiations with Tehran, telling NBC News that the incident is part of an ongoing war.

In a brief phone interview with NBC News on Friday, Trump declined to discuss details of the search‑and‑rescue operation launched after the aircraft was brought down, describing it as a sensitive military matter. He also expressed frustration with some of the media coverage surrounding the incident.

Asked whether the day’s events would impact talks with Iran, Trump said they would not.

“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war, Garrett,” Trump told NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake.

The comments came after an F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran. One of the aircraft’s two crew members was rescued, while a search continued for the second airman, according to U.S. officials.

Apr 03, 2026 at 03:41 PM EDT

Donald Trump posts 4‑word oil message as Iran war continues

President Donald Trump posted a brief message about oil on Truth Social on Friday as the U.S.–Iran war continued and U.S. forces faced a volatile day in the region.

“KEEP THE OIL, ANYONE?” Trump wrote in a four‑word post on his verified Truth Social account. The message did not include additional explanation or reference specific events.

The post came amid heightened attention on the Middle East and global energy markets, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil that has been a focal point of the conflict.

Earlier Friday, U.S. officials confirmed that an F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran. One of the aircraft’s two crew members was rescued, while search‑and‑rescue operations continued for the second airman, according to U.S. officials.

Separately, the New York Times reported that a second U.S. Air Force aircraft, an A‑10 Warthog, was reported to have crashed in the Persian Gulf region near the Strait of Hormuz, citing two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The newspaper said the A‑10’s lone pilot was rescued safely. The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the incident or released additional details.

Trump’s Truth Social post did not mention the aircraft incidents, military operations, or energy policy.

Apr 03, 2026 at 02:57 PM EDT

Second U.S. warplane reportedly crashes in Persian Gulf region as Iran conflict intensifies

A second U.S. Air Force combat aircraft went down Friday in the Persian Gulf region, with its pilot rescued safely, the New York Times reported, citing two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The A‑10 Warthog crashed near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time that an F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iranian territory, according to the report. One of the F‑15E’s two crew members has been rescued, while search‑and‑rescue operations continue for the second airman.

The Warthog pilot was able to fly out of Iranian territory before ejecting, according to later reporting by the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.

Department of Defense officials did not immediately respond to a message seeking additional details on Friday.

Apr 03, 2026 at 02:36 PM EDT

Iranian media urge civilians to capture US pilot as one airman is rescued

Iranian state‑affiliated media urged civilians to help locate and capture U.S. aircrew after an American fighter jet was shot down over Iran, even as U.S. officials confirmed that one of the two crew members has already been rescued.

Broadcasts on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) encouraged viewers to search for the missing American. In one on‑air message, an anchor told viewers that anyone who captured an enemy pilot alive and turned them over to law enforcement or military forces would receive a “valuable reward.”

Separately, Iran’s semi‑official ISNA news agency reported that the governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad Province, where the jet was believed to have gone down, announced a reward of 10 billion tomans (about $70,000) for information leading to the capture of the American pilot.

The statements came as U.S. officials said American forces had successfully rescued one crew member from the downed F‑15E Strike Eagle, a two‑seat aircraft. A search‑and‑rescue operation remained under way for the second member.

Apr 03, 2026 at 01:23 PM EDT

Iran’s parliament speaker mocks U.S. as search continues for missing airman

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a senior figure in Tehran’s wartime leadership, mocked the Trump administration on social media as U.S. forces searched for a missing American airman from a fighter jet shot down over Iran.

In an X post on Friday, Ghalibaf derided Washington’s handling of the conflict, casting the downing of the aircraft as evidence of what he called a strategic failure by the United States.

“After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no‑strategy war they started has now been downgraded from ‘regime change’ to ‘Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?’” he wrote. “Wow. What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses.”

The comments came as U.S. officials confirmed that an F‑15E fighter jet had been downed during operations over Iran and that a search‑and‑rescue mission was under way for its two‑person crew. One crew member has been rescued, while the search for the second continued.

Ghalibaf has emerged as one of the most prominent Iranian voices during the war, frequently posting commentary aimed at American audiences.

Apr 03, 2026 at 01:00 PM EDT

Trump briefed after U.S. F‑15 fighter jet shot down over Iran

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the downing of a U.S. F‑15 fighter jet over Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday.

The jet, identified as an F‑15E Strike Eagle, was brought down during ongoing U.S. military operations connected to the widening conflict with Iran.

The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have not issued detailed public statements on the shootdown. Iran has claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft.

The loss of the F‑15 marks a significant escalation in the conflict, representing the first confirmed downing of a U.S. manned fighter jet since the war began.

Apr 03, 2026 at 12:32 PM EDT

What is the F‑15 Eagle that was shot down over Iran?

The F‑15 Eagle—the fighter jet shot down over Iran early Friday—is a twin‑engine, all‑weather aircraft developed during the Cold War to give the U.S. Air Force decisive air superiority. Built by McDonnell Douglas and now produced by Boeing, the jet first flew in 1972 and entered service in 1976 after lessons from the Vietnam War highlighted the need for a more capable air‑combat platform.

Originally designed for air‑to‑air fighting, the F‑15 later evolved into multiple variants, including the F‑15E Strike Eagle, a two‑seat version that added advanced strike and bombing capabilities while retaining its air‑combat role. It was an F‑15E that U.S. officials say was downed during combat operations over Iran.

Despite the rise of stealth aircraft like the F‑22 and F‑35, the F‑15 remains in service with the U.S. and key allies. The Air Force is now fielding the F‑15EX, a modernized version intended to keep the Eagle relevant for decades as older jets are retired.

Apr 03, 2026 at 11:55 AM EDT

One U.S. crew member rescued after F‑15E shot down over Iran

One crew member from the U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran has been rescued by American forces, CBS News reported on Friday, citing two unnamed U.S. officials.

The F‑15E, a two‑seat fighter jet, was brought down earlier Friday in what U.S. officials have described as the first confirmed loss of a U.S. manned aircraft since the war with Iran began in late February. A search‑and‑rescue mission remains ongoing for the second crew member.

CBS News reported that images verified by the network showed U.S. refueling aircraft and helicopters flying low over Iran, activity consistent with a combat search‑and‑rescue operation. Iran has claimed it shot down the jet and has urged civilians to help capture any surviving crew.

The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command have not issued a formal public statement on the rescue, and details about the condition of the rescued crew member have not been released.

The downing of the F‑15E marked a sharp escalation in the conflict, raising the stakes as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran continue and Tehran intensifies attacks across the region.

Apr 03, 2026 at 11:39 AM EDT

China calls U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran ‘illegal,’ urges end to Hormuz disruption

China’s foreign ministry on Friday criticized the U.S. and Israel’s military campaign against Iran, calling the operations “illegal” and blaming the conflict for disrupting shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the fighting had undermined peace and stability in the Gulf, contributing to instability along one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

“Only by ending the military actions and restoring peace and stability in the Gulf can the international shipping lane be open and safe,” Lin wrote in a post on X.

The remarks reflect Beijing’s growing concern over the economic fallout from the war, as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to rattle global energy markets and supply chains. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally transits through the narrow waterway.

Lin also called on the international community to push for de‑escalation, warning that a prolonged conflict risks triggering wider regional turmoil and inflicting further damage on the global economy and energy security.

China has consistently positioned itself as an advocate for a ceasefire in the conflict

Apr 03, 2026 at 11:10 AM EDT

U.S. F‑15E shot down over Iran, search for crew underway

A U.S. Air Force F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran on Friday, prompting an urgent American search‑and‑rescue operation for the jet’s two‑member crew, U.S. officials confirmed to Reuters and other outlets.

The downing marks the first confirmed loss of a U.S. manned aircraft since the war with Iran began in late February. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately issue a formal public statement, with details confirmed by officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

Iranian state media initially claimed an F‑35 stealth fighter had been hit by a new air‑defense system over central Iran and released images of debris, including a tail fin. Subsequent reporting and U.S. confirmations identified the aircraft as an F‑15E, a two‑seat strike fighter.

Videos circulating online later showed what appeared to be a U.S. C‑130 aircraft refueling HH‑60 Pave Hawk helicopters at low altitude, footage widely interpreted as consistent with a search‑and‑rescue effort, though the U.S. military has not publicly confirmed mission details.

Iranian television affiliates urged civilians to help capture any surviving crew.

Until Friday, U.S. and Israeli aircraft had carried out weeks of strikes over Iran without a confirmed shootdown, despite repeated Iranian claims that later proved false. Last month, a U.S. F‑35 was damaged during a combat mission, with the pilot injured but able to recover the aircraft.

Apr 03, 2026 at 10:55 AM EDT

Iranian TV airs US aircraft images after on‑air call to hunt pilot

Iranian state media on Friday aired images of what it said were American helicopters, planes, and drones flying over a rural southwestern province, hours after a local television affiliate urged civilians to help capture a U.S. pilot it claimed had ejected from a downed aircraft.

The broadcast came from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province, a mountainous region that spans more than 5,900 square miles. During the segment, an on‑screen crawl urged viewers to “shoot them if you see them,” referring to social media footage circulating of what appeared to be U.S. aircraft operating in the area, according to the Associated Press.

The anchor later revised the message, calling on residents to hand over any suspected American pilots alive to police in exchange for a reward. The public appeal suggested Iranian military and security forces maintain only a limited presence in the sprawling province.

Throughout the war, Iran has made multiple claims about shooting down piloted enemy aircraft that later proved untrue. Friday marked the first time Iranian state television went on air urging the public to look for a suspected downed pilot, the Associated Press reported.

Apr 03, 2026 at 10:35 AM EDT

Trump suggests taking Iran’s oil after saying Hormuz isn’t US problem

President Donald Trump suggested Friday that the United States could profit from forcing open the Strait of Hormuz, undercutting his own recent arguments that securing the vital shipping lane should be someone else’s responsibility.

In a Truth Social post Friday morning, he wrote:

“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD???”

The comment came as the U.S.‑Israel war with Iran enters its fifth week and energy markets remain rattled by Iran’s effective closure or control of the narrow waterway, through which about a fifth of global oil normally passes.

Trump’s remarks contrasted sharply with statements he has made in recent days blaming U.S. allies for failing to step in. Earlier this week, he argued that countries dependent on Gulf oil should “police it themselves,” saying the United States should not shoulder the burden of protecting the strait.

Friday’s post instead pointed toward direct U.S. action and echoed Trump’s broader interest in seizing Iranian oil assets.

Apr 03, 2026 at 10:20 AM EDT

Iran says it’s shot down US fighter jets

Iran said on Friday that it's downed three American fighter jets in the past few days. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that an F-35 fighter jet was one of two destroyed over central Iran in the past 12 hours, according to Iran’s semi-official, IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency.

Barak Ravid, a global affairs correspondent with Axios, posted to X on Friday morning: "Iran has shot down a U.S. fighter jet, per Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, and a search and rescue effort is underway to locate two crew."

Washington denied at least one of the alleged shootdowns, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) writing a "fact check" on X stating: "CLAIM: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it downed an "enemy" fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran's IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times."

CENTCOM has yet to comment on the latest Iranian claims.

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