BlockBeats message, April 4, according to reports from multiple sources, a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Iran. Both crew members successfully ejected and escaped. At present, one of them has already been located and rescued by U.S. special forces within Iran, while the other remains under search. Iran is also carrying out a search and calling on local civilians to assist.
Meanwhile, Iran says that a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft was shot down by an air defense system near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials have confirmed the crash, but said the pilot has been rescued.
Also, according to Iranian reports, an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet sent out an emergency signal and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, though the exact reason is still unclear.
During the rescue operations, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in the mission is suspected to have been attacked and damaged. Witnesses say that as the aircraft flew away from Iran into the southern part of Iraq, black smoke began to emerge from the fuselage. Iranian media previously claimed that its air defense system had hit the helicopter.
In response to the related incident, Trump said that the crash of a U.S. Air Force aircraft will not affect the current negotiation process with Iran and called it “this is war.” At present, the situation in the Middle East remains tense, and related military developments are still unfolding.