US aircraft shot down in Iran; one crew member rescued as Israel assists operation

US and Israeli officials said one crew member was rescued after a US aircraft was shot down in Iran during the ongoing conflict. The Pentagon confirmed it was notified of an aircraft being downed in the Middle East, without details. The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed, as Israel assists the search and rescue operation.

One US crew member was rescued on Friday after an American aircraft was shot down in Iran, two officials said. One US and one Israeli official spoke anonymously due to ongoing military operations. Three other people said the rescue happened during a US search-and-rescue mission. Israel was helping the United States with the effort.

The Pentagon confirmed it received notice of an aircraft being shot down in the Middle East. The information came in an email obtained by The Associated Press. The message offered no further details about the incident. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had been briefed. No extra information was provided.

US aircraft shot down in Iran raises war escalation

Officials described the incident as the first US aircraft loss on Iranian territory. The development marked a sharp step up in the conflict. The war began five weeks ago, and tensions have continued to rise. On Friday, Iran also fired at targets across the Middle East. Tehran kept pressure on Israel and Gulf Arab neighbours.

Iran’s attacks struck energy sites and increased worries about shipping. Tehran has also tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. Around one-fifth of global oil and natural gas passes there in peacetime. The disruption has unsettled stock markets and driven oil prices higher. The price surge has raised concerns about basic goods, including food.

US aircraft shot down in Iran prompts search activity reports

Before the rescue was reported, social media videos showed US drones, aircraft and helicopters. They were seen over a mountainous area linked to the incident. A TV channel tied to Iranian state television said at least one pilot bailed out. An anchor urged residents to report any enemy pilot to police. The channel promised a reward.

Officials did not immediately say how many crew members were on board. The Pentagon and US Central Command did not respond to messages seeking comment. Iran has previously claimed to down piloted enemy aircraft, and some claims proved false. Friday was the first time Iran aired a public request to search for a pilot.

An on-screen crawl called on the public to "shoot them if you see them,\". It referred to the videos shared online from the area. The same channel showed metal debris in a pickup truck. It did not provide details about where the debris came from. No independent confirmation was offered in the broadcast.

US aircraft shot down in Iran amid Gulf attacks and regional strikes

Iran’s claim came after Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery was attacked. Kuwait Petroleum Corp. said firefighters were controlling several blazes. Kuwait also said an Iranian strike caused material damage to a desalination plant. Such plants provide most drinking water across Gulf states. They have become key targets during the war.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain as other incidents were reported. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed several Iranian drones. Israel reported incoming missiles on Friday. In the United Arab Emirates, authorities shut a gas field. This followed a missile interception that reportedly dropped debris. The debris started a fire, according to reports.

Activists reported strikes around Tehran and in Isfahan, in central Iran. It was not clear what locations were hit. A day earlier, Iran said the US struck a major bridge. The bridge was still under construction, Iran said. Iran reported eight people were killed in that attack. The claim could not be verified immediately.

In Lebanon, Israel has launched a ground invasion against Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a militant group backed by Iran. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported an Israeli drone strike near Beirut. It said worshippers leaving Friday prayers were hit. Two people were killed, according to the agency. No additional details were provided.

US aircraft shot down in Iran as casualty figures and Strait of Hormuz impact grow

More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began on Feb 28. The war started with US and Israeli strikes. Armed Conflict Location and Event Data released a review on Friday. The US-based group said civilian deaths clustered near security and state-linked sites. It said strikes were not indiscriminate across cities.

More than two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank. Israel has reported 19 deaths, according to the figures cited. The United States has reported 13 service members killed. In Lebanon, more than 1,300 people have been killed. More than 1 million people have been displaced there, and ten Israeli soldiers have died.

World leaders have struggled to end Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has had wide effects on the global economy. The strait has become Iran’s biggest strategic advantage in the war. The UN Security Council was expected to discuss the issue on Saturday. The debate comes amid growing concern over energy flows.

Trump has shifted messages on the strait during the conflict. Trump has threatened Iran over access, and also urged other countries to secure supplies. On Friday, Trump wrote on social media, \"With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE.\" Brent crude was near USD 109 on Friday. That was over 50 per cent higher since the war began.

US aircraft shot down in Iran as Zarif outlines possible terms

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Friday in Foreign Affairs. Zarif called the situation a stalemate and urged an end. The US and Iran have each offered competing plans. Zarif’s proposal included parts of both approaches. The piece suggested some Iranian leaders may be open to talks, though Zarif holds no official post.

Zarif wrote that Iran should limit its nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In return, Iran would seek an end to all sanctions. Zarif said Washington rejected such a deal earlier, but might accept it now. It remained unclear how much the article reflected official policy. The report said publication likely needed at least some senior approval.

With inputs from PTI