2 U.S. aircraft shot down over Iran as strikes on infrastructure expand across Mideast

Two U.S. combat aircraft have been shot down over Iran for the first time during the five-week conflict, marking a significant escalation in direct military confrontation between the two nations. One F-15E was lost with two crew members aboard; one service member was rescued while the status of the second remains unclear or undisclosed. A Blackhawk helicopter conducting a rescue mission was also fired upon but returned to base safely. The downings underscore the intensifying air defense threat facing American forces as U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure have expanded across the Middle East. The incident represents a shift from earlier phases of the conflict and raises the stakes for ongoing operations in the region.