Iran Says US C-130s And Black Hawks Were Downed In Isfahan As Trump Hails F-15E Rescue Mission

Iran has claimed it shot down multiple US aircraft in southern Isfahan, sharply escalating an already volatile confrontation just hours after US President Donald Trump announced that both crew members of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle had been successfully recovered.

The competing claims from Tehran and Washington have added to fears of a broader regional crisis, as drone attacks and missile strikes continue to hit critical energy and military-linked sites across the Gulf.

Iran Alleges More US Aircraft Were Brought Down In Southern Isfahan

According to Iranian claims, multiple American aircraft were downed in southern Isfahan, including two C-130 transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters. The assertion was made by a spokesperson of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), signalling a fresh and serious escalation in direct military hostilities between the two countries.

The claim comes amid intensifying battlefield narratives from both sides, with Tehran projecting a major defensive success while Washington has focused on its high-risk rescue operation involving the crew of a previously downed US fighter jet.

The latest allegation, if confirmed, would mark a significant widening of the conflict and further deepen tensions in an already unstable region.

Trump Confirms Both F-15E Crew Members Have Been Recovered

The United States has confirmed that both crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran have now been recovered. President Trump described the mission as "one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history", highlighting the complexity and scale of the operation.

According to Trump, the second airman was located behind enemy lines after a multi-day rescue effort. The mission reportedly involved dozens of aircraft and special forces units operating in close coordination under highly dangerous conditions.

One of the two crew members had been rescued earlier, while the second was extracted later in what officials described as a difficult and sensitive operation. Trump said the officer is now "safe and sound", underlining what the US has portrayed as a major military success despite the earlier loss of the aircraft.

Drone Strike Hits Bahrain Refinery As Gulf Conflict Widens

At the same time, the conflict has expanded beyond Iran, with the wider Gulf region facing growing security threats. In Bahrain, BAPCO Energies confirmed that a drone strike hit a fuel storage tank at its refinery, a critical piece of the country's energy infrastructure.

The attack has raised alarm across the region, as Gulf nations increasingly find themselves caught in the fallout of the confrontation. Officials have warned that retaliatory strikes are becoming more frequent and more dangerous, especially as strategic facilities are being targeted.

The strike on Bahrain's refinery reflects a broader pattern of attacks linked to the ongoing crisis, with energy installations now appearing to be among the most vulnerable assets in the region.

Over 6,000 Missiles And Drones Reportedly Target Gulf Region

Regional officials have indicated that more than 6,000 missiles and drones have been launched at Gulf countries so far, underscoring the scale of the unfolding threat. Of those, more than 1,000 strikes were reportedly directed at Kuwait alone.

The mounting numbers have intensified fears of a prolonged and wider conflict, especially as Trump has referenced a looming deadline in increasingly stark terms. With direct US-Iran military clashes, cross-border attacks, and repeated strikes on strategic infrastructure now converging, concerns are growing that the Gulf may be entering an even more dangerous phase.

The combination of air combat, rescue operations, drone warfare, and attacks on energy sites has pushed regional stability to a fragile edge, with the possibility of further escalation remaining high.