Iran Downs US Warplanes

The escalation marks the first time in over two decades that US combat aircraft have been lost to enemy fire, significantly challenging the White House narrative of air dominance.

While one crew member from the F-15E was successfully rescued, the status of a second airman remains unknown as US and Iranian forces race to secure the site.

President Trump has acknowledged the situation as a state of war but insists that negotiations remain unaffected by the losses.

Meanwhile, Tehran has offered a bounty for the capture of the missing pilot, further intensifying the standoff in the Persian Gulf.