Iran downs another US F-15 fighter jet, Trump says ‘this is war’

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Iran has reportedly shot down another F-15E Strike Eagle amid the ongoing conflict, as Donald Trump described the situation bluntly as “war” while remaining silent on the fate of a missing pilot.

US and Israeli forces are currently searching for a missing crew member from the downed aircraft. Out of the two crew members onboard, one has been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to locate the other.

When questioned by The Independent, Trump avoided giving a direct response on what action the US would take if the pilot were harmed by Iranian forces. He said, “I cannot comment on that, because we hope that does not happen.”

This marks the first reported instance of a US fighter jet being brought down inside Iranian territory during the ongoing military operations by the US and Israel.

Iranian state television has urged local citizens to report any sighting of the pilot, even offering rewards. Authorities in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province reportedly stated that those who capture or kill the pilot would be honored.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli combat search-and-rescue teams launched an immediate operation. However, reports suggest that two rescue helicopters came under fire during the mission, forcing them to retreat.

In response, Israel has temporarily paused its planned strikes in the region to prioritize the rescue operation.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, Trump has not issued a detailed public statement. According to the White House, he has been fully briefed but has not mentioned the event in his social media posts.

Speaking to NBC News, Trump said the incident would not impact ongoing indirect talks with Iran, stating, “No, not at all. This is war—we are at war.”