#BREAKING US Blackhawk helicopter hit by Iran, Newsmax reports, citing US official, adding that crew is accounted for and safe pic.twitter.com/SaXWASYvq2
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 3, 2026
Chaos is unfolding in the Iran war after multiple US aircraft crashes were reported Friday, as an urgent search-and-rescue mission continues for a downed American pilot behind enemy lines.
An American F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Southern Iran earlier Friday, ejecting two pilots into enemy territory.
One of the American fighter pilots has been rescued by US forces, two US officials have confirmed. A second crew member remains missing, CBS News reported.
Donald Trump has been briefed on the rescue mission, the White House confirmed.
A senior administration official told the Daily Mail that the President’s national security team is gathered at the White House and the President has been working all day from the Oval Office, or the Oval’s dining room, receiving updates.
In a brief phone interview, Trump declined to discuss details of the search and rescue operation.
When asked by NBC News reporter Garrett Haake if the pilot crashes will affect negotiations with Iran, the President responded: ‘No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war, Garrett.’
It marked the first time a US jet has been downed by enemy fire since the start of the war 35 days ago.
Meanwhile, Newsmax reported that a US Black Hawk was hit by enemy fire while conducting rescue operations for the pilots. The crew is reportedly accounted for and is safe.
An A-10 Warthog combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf near the Strait on Hormuz on Friday but the pilot was rescued, according to the New York Times. It is unclear how the plane went down.
It comes as Iranian state media urged civilians to capture the pilots on the Strike Eagle, with a ‘reward’ offered by the Islamic regime.
Israel media reported that the missing airmen has likely sent out his emergency location signal out to the rescue team.
One Rescued From U.S. Jet Shot Down in Iran, U.S. Officials Say
The fate of the plane’s crew was unclear, as American officials scrambled to mount a search and rescue operation.