Urgent search underway for US airmen after American fighter jet shot down over Iran

George Bunn
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:10:39 +0000

A US F-15E fighter jet has been shot down over the skies of Iran.

US officials close to the issue told reporters a search is currently underway for the crew.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not offer further details.

President Donald Trump has this morning threatened to extend attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran after a US strike cut a major highway bridge on Thursday.

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The Iranian military said yesterday it had shot down a US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran. It has not yet been confirmed if this was the same jet.

On Thursday, President Trump posted footage on social media showing dust and smoke billowing up as US strikes hit the newly constructed B1 bridge between Tehran and nearby Karaj, which was due to open to traffic this year.

He wrote in a post: "Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!."

In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would hit "all assets of the Israeli regime and the US in fuel, energy, economic centres, and power plants across the region". It said countries hosting US bases should make them leave.

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Nearly five weeks after the war started with a joint US-Israeli aerial assault, President Trump is under pressure to find a quick resolution.

Negotiations conducted via intermediaries with new leaders in Iran have shown little sign of progress, and pessimism at home has been growing, with polls showing most Americans are opposed to the war.

At the same time, the economic impact has been ratcheting up sharply around the world, with Iran's grip on the strategic shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz giving it a choke hold on oil and gas supplies vital to the global economy.

As he threatened more attacks, President Trump said Iran's leadership "knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!"

However, there has been little sign of acquiescence from Tehran.

Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since taking over on March 8 from his father.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, meanwhile, was removed from Israel's hit list amid mediation efforts last month, including by Pakistan, to bring Tehran and Washington together for talks to end the war.

Talks aimed at ending the war have since appeared to have petered out, as Tehran brands US peace proposals "unrealistic".

On Wednesday, President Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran, without offering a timeline for ending hostilities.

Tehran responded by warning the United States and Israel that "more crushing, broader and more destructive" attacks were in store.