- A U.S. fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, sparking an urgent search and rescue operation for its pilots.
- A U.S. official confirmed a jet was hit after Iran claimed to have downed a U.S. fighter jet, with its state news agency stating the pilot is unlikely to have survived.
- An anchor on Iranian state television read a statement on air urging civilians to capture the “enemy’s pilot or pilots” and hand them over to authorities in exchange for a reward.
- Around the same time, Iranian drones reportedly struck an oil refinery in Kuwait, though no injuries were reported by the state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp.
- Friday’s attack marks the first time Iran has downed a U.S. plane, though a U.S. fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing on March 19 after claims it was hit by Iran.
IN FULL