A U.S. F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, marking the first such incident since the start of the war on February 28. Initial reports from Iranian state media claimed a U.S. F-35 was hit, but a U.S. official confirmed it was an F-15E.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched for the two-person crew. Reports indicate one crew member has been rescued, while efforts to locate the second continue. Iranian military forces are also reported to be conducting a search operation.
This is the first known loss of a U.S. aircraft within Iranian territory since the conflict began a month ago, and the first since President Donald Trump ordered the war. Debris, including a tail fin, has been recovered and images released by Iranian media.