Two US fighter jets downed in Mideast, one crew member rescued

© US Air Force via Reuters
by FRANCE 24
April 3, 2026
3 min read

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Two U.S. fighter jets were shot down over Iranian airspace, with one crew member rescued and others' status unknown.

AI Summary

Two U.S. fighter jets were shot down over Iranian airspace on Friday, with one crew member rescued and the status of others unknown. The first aircraft was downed during what U.S. officials described as a search and rescue operation, while a second Air Force jet went down later that same day. The incidents mark a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran military tensions in the region. Recovery efforts for the remaining crew members were underway, though their locations had not been confirmed as of the initial reporting. The downings underscore the heightened risks facing American military operations in the Middle East amid broader regional instability.

What's Being Done

Recovery efforts for remaining crew members were underway as of initial reporting.

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