American plane destroyed in Iranian airspace - one pilot missing

For the first time during the American-Israeli and Iranian war, Iranian air defense forces succeeded in destroying an American fighter jet in the sky over Iranian territory. The destroyed aircraft in this attack is an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet belonging to the US Air Force, and one of its two crew members has already been rescued.

However, operations to find the other missing crew member are continuously underway.

After the plane crash, Iranian state media such as Tasnim, Press TV, and media outlets associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quickly published photos and videos of the plane's wreckage. Although they initially claimed it was an F-35 type aircraft, the tail section marked "EUROPE" among the debris and the red markings belonging to the 494th Fighter Squadron (Panthers) stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom clearly confirmed it was an F-15E.

Immediately after the attack, the US launched a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operation, with HC-130J refueling aircraft and Black Hawk / HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters entering Iranian airspace. Even footage showing these American rescue aircraft flying very low over Iranian territory was broadcast on Iranian television. In response, Iran announced that it would offer rewards to anyone who captured the surviving pilots, and although they initially instructed civilians to shoot them on sight, this was later changed to handing them over alive.

This incident is reported to have occurred in western or southwestern Iran, specifically in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province near Yasuj, or in the Khuzestan region near the Karun River. It is suspected that Iran used a domestically produced surface-to-air missile system such as Raad, 3rd Khordad, or Majid to shoot down this F-15E aircraft, which can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 2.5, carry over 24,500 pounds of bombs and missiles, and is equipped with a state-of-the-art AN/APG-82 radar system. Iran successfully used a similar 3rd Khordad system to shoot down an American RQ-4 Global Hawk drone in 2019.

Since the US and Israel began this war targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile centers, and senior leaders, several American aircraft have been damaged. Between March 5 and April 2, dozens of American MQ-9 Reaper drones were destroyed by Iranian missile attacks, and an F-35 aircraft was also damaged on March 19. Additionally, three F-15E aircraft were destroyed on March 2 due to an error by Kuwaiti defense forces. However, the successful destruction of a manned fighter jet by an Iranian air defense system is considered a very serious escalation of this conflict.

The White House has briefed President Trump on the plane crash and rescue operations, and he has posted a message on Truth Social suggesting that the US should open the Strait of Hormuz and take oil. Meanwhile, China has condemned the American and Israeli actions as illegal and called for de-escalation to stabilize the Gulf region. This crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil supply passes, has already led to significant instability in the global energy market.