Trump Says Downed U.S. Aircraft Won’t Affect Iran Ceasefire Talks
Donald Trump said Friday that the reported shoot-down of a U.S. fighter jet over Iran would not affect ongoing negotiations, emphasizing the realities of wartime conditions. Speaking briefly with Garrett Haake of NBC News, Trump declined to discuss operational details but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“I just spoke briefly with President Trump,” Haake wrote in a post on X. “He declined to discuss any details of the ongoing, intensive search for the missing pilot in Iran. I asked if today’s events would affect negotiations with Iran: ‘No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war, Garrett.’”
U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that a F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran on Friday. The aircraft carried a two-person crew, and while one crew member was successfully rescued, search operations remain underway for the second individual, identified as the weapons systems officer.
According to officials, U.S. forces launched a combat search-and-rescue mission after Iranian forces downed the aircraft. During the operation, a A-10 Thunderbolt II reportedly came under fire and sustained damage. The pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was later recovered by American forces.
Two helicopters, including aircraft similar to the UH-60 Black Hawk, participated in the rescue operation and successfully retrieved the F-15E pilot who had ejected. Officials said the helicopter carrying the rescued pilot came under small-arms fire, resulting in injuries to some crew members, though the aircraft landed safely. All personnel involved are receiving medical treatment and are expected to be transported for additional care.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for shooting down the U.S. fighter jet, according to statements reported by Iranian state media. Images and videos circulating online appeared to show U.S. aircraft operating at low altitude over parts of central and southwestern Iran, including a C-130 Hercules, supporting the search-and-rescue effort.
CBS News also reported that U.S. forces have lost at least 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones over Iran since the conflict began. Additionally, three F-15 aircraft were reportedly lost earlier in the conflict during a separate friendly-fire incident, with no casualties reported.
The shoot-down comes after repeated statements from U.S. defense leaders asserting that American forces had achieved air superiority. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said Thursday that U.S. operations had significantly weakened Iranian naval, air, and missile defense capabilities.
Meanwhile, Jim Sciutto of CNN reported that U.S. government sources confirmed an active search-and-rescue operation for the downed crew in southwestern Iran. Sciutto noted the rarity of such an event, saying it marked one of the first instances of U.S. pilots downed in enemy territory during the current conflict.
According to Axios, Iranian state media also released images allegedly showing debris from the aircraft and an ejection seat. Reports indicated that Iranian television urged civilians in the area to help locate the missing crew member, offering rewards for information.
The situation remains fluid, with search efforts ongoing and officials continuing to assess the broader implications of the incident.