Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Apr 4: Tensions escalated further in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran after two US warplanes were reportedly shot down on Friday, with one pilot still missing and search operations underway.

According to reports, the first aircraft, a two-seat F-15E Strike Eagle, was brought down over Iran. Of the two crew members onboard — a pilot and a weapons systems officer — one has been rescued by US special forces, while the other remains unaccounted for.

In a separate incident, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, was hit and crashed over Kuwait. The pilot managed to eject safely, reports said.

Further, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters involved in search operations for the missing pilot were also reportedly targeted but managed to exit Iranian airspace safely, according to US officials.

While there has been no detailed official statement from the White House or the Pentagon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the developments. Speaking to NBC News, Trump stated that the loss of the F-15E would not impact ongoing negotiations, remarking, “No, not at all. No, it’s war.”

The development comes days after Trump claimed that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly weakened, asserting that US aircraft were operating freely over Iranian territory.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have reportedly announced incentives for capturing the missing US pilot. Local media quoted officials as saying that anyone who captures the pilot alive would receive a “valuable reward.” An Iranian governor is also said to have promised commendation for those capturing or killing “enemy forces.”

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly launched search operations in southwestern Iran, where the aircraft is believed to have crashed.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf took a jibe at the US and Israel, stating that what began as a “regime change” effort had now turned into a search for missing pilots.

The conflict, which reportedly began on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has since intensified. Iran has repeatedly claimed to have shot down multiple enemy aircraft during the course of the war.

Reports indicate that over 1,900 people have lost their lives in the conflict so far. Casualties have also been reported in Gulf countries, Israel, and among US forces, highlighting the widening impact of the war.

Further developments are awaited as the situation continues to evolve.