He declined to discuss details of the search and rescue efforts, with one crew member believed to be missing, but the US president expressed dismay at coverage of any military operation, with videos being widely circulated on social media. When asked directly whether the downing of the jet would affect the talks, he replied: “No, not at all. No, this is war. We are at war.”
White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt confirmed that the US President was briefed on the incident just before 5pm BST today.
It is the first public response Mr Trump has given directly referencing the incident, although he did post on his social media platform Truth Social “Keep the oil, anyone?” Around 8.15 pm UK time.
Iranian media reported that authorities have offered a reward of 10 billion tomans (about £50,000) to anyone who captures the downed US crew member alive.
Reports of the downing of the fighter plane first came in around 3 pm on Friday, with sources reportedly confirming that a search and rescue operation was underway. CBS reported that the F-15 was shot down at around 11.45pm BST.
US officials, including Mr Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have repeatedly said Iran’s air defense capabilities were destroyed in the conflict, raising questions about today’s events.
The specific location of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the downing of the jet are still unclear. However, the southern province of Khuzestan – a key region for oil – and Kohgiluyeh-Boyerhamed are frequently mentioned on Iran’s state media.
Images widely shared on social media showed a US plane flying low around the province, which experts say would be consistent with a search and rescue operation.
According to two American officials speaking to CBS, two American planes involved in the rescue operation also came under fire.
