Washington: A United States fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, raising fears of further escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
US officials said the aircraft, an F 15E strike eagle, went down during a mission on Friday. The jet had two crew members on board. Both were able to eject safely before the aircraft crashed.
One of the crew members has been rescued, while efforts are continuing to find the second person. The search operation is taking place in a highly dangerous environment, as US forces try to reach the missing crew member inside Iranian territory.
Reports indicate that Iranian forces are also searching the area. There are concerns that the missing crew member could be captured, which may further increase tensions between the two sides.
Iranian authorities initially claimed that the downed aircraft was a more advanced stealth jet, but US officials confirmed it was an F 15E. There are also conflicting reports about whether the missing crew member has been located.
This is the first confirmed case of a US fighter jet being shot down inside Iran during the current conflict. The incident highlights the growing risks faced by military personnel as the war continues.
The wider conflict, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, has been ongoing for several weeks. It has already caused significant casualties and raised concerns across the region and beyond.
The downing of the jet and the ongoing search for the missing crew member have added urgency to the situation. Observers say the outcome of this incident could influence the next steps in the conflict, especially if the missing crew member is found or captured.