One crew member rescued after US F-15 shot down over Iran while search continues for other pilot: report

Key Points:

• A U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran, marking the first aircraft downed in Iranian territory since the war began nearly five weeks ago; one crew member has been rescued while the search continues for the second pilot.
• Iranian forces shot down the jet early Friday, and a rescue mission involving U.S. and Israeli forces is underway to recover the missing weapons system officer before Iranian forces can capture them.
• Iranian state media urged civilians to capture or kill any surviving enemy pilots, offering rewards and encouraging hostile actions, while conflicting reports emerged about helicopters involved in the search and rescue operation.
• President Donald Trump stated the downing would not affect negotiations with Iran, despite declaring "we’re in war," and continued to threaten further strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.
• The incident represents a significant escalation, with over 1,900 people killed in Iran since the war began, and ongoing conflict causing casualties across the region including Gulf states, Israel, Lebanon, and the occupied West Bank.