A US F-15E fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, with search-and-rescue efforts recovering one of two crew members who ejected. The incident marks the first known incident of its kind in the nearly five-week-old US-Iran war.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident, but details remain unclear. The Pentagon and US Central Command have not commented on the matter.
The recovery of one crew member raises the stakes for Washington in a conflict that has struggled to win popular support among Americans. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump's briefing, but declined to provide further details.
The incident presents a challenge to Washington's military, which must balance the goal of saving the life of an American behind enemy lines with the need to safeguard those involved in perilous rescue missions.
Iran is also hunting for the missing US airman, with officials calling on civilians to be on the lookout for survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province has offered a reward for anyone who captures or kills the crew.
The conflict has already claimed the lives of 13 US military service members and injured over 300. The US and Israeli war with Iran has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands and fueling global economic concerns.
