2 U.S. planes hit in Iran, search on for missing crew member

Iranian forces shot down a U.S. F-15E fighter jet on Friday, with a second American aircraft also struck and crashed while attempting a rescue operation. The incidents represent a significant military escalation involving direct Iranian action against U.S. aircraft, marking a rare combat engagement between the two adversaries. At least one crew member from the downed aircraft is missing, prompting an active search-and-rescue operation. The back-to-back losses underscore the heightened risks U.S. pilots face in the region and the complexity of recovery missions under fire. The shootdowns could have immediate implications for U.S. military operations and broader tensions with Iran.