Iran shoots down two US aircraft on Friday, April 3, 2026, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

According to reports from The New York Times, NBC, and Iranian state media, Iranian air defense systems successfully targeted and downed two American combat planes in separate incidents on the same day.

1. F-15E Strike Eagle Shot Down Iranian forces first shot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over southwestern Iran. The twin-seat aircraft was hit by Iranian air defense systems. Both pilots ejected safely from the plane. US rescue teams quickly responded and successfully rescued one crew member. However, the search for the second pilot is still continuing.

2. A-10 Warthog Hit Near Strait of Hormuz Later the same day, Iran targeted and hit a US A-10 Warthog attack aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz. The single-seat jet crashed after being struck by Iranian fire. The lone pilot ejected successfully and was rescued by US forces. During the rescue mission, two US helicopters also came under Iranian fire, but fortunately, all service members on board remained unharmed.

Iranian state media confirmed that their air defense units engaged an “enemy” A-10 aircraft in the area.

Why This Incident Is Significant

This event is highly important because it is the first time Iran has successfully shot down US manned combat aircraft since the current war began. Until now, Iran had mainly targeted American drones, with at least 12 MQ-9 Reaper drones confirmed shot down.

The downing of these two US aircraft — a modern F-15E Strike Eagle and the iconic A-10 Warthog — shows that Iranian air defense capabilities remain effective despite weeks of US and Israeli strikes on their military infrastructure.

Background on the Aircraft

• F-15E Strike Eagle: A powerful twin-engine, two-seat fighter-bomber used for both air-to-air combat and ground attack missions.

• A-10 Warthog (Thunderbolt II): A single-seat aircraft specially designed for close air support. It is known for its heavy armor and ability to destroy tanks and ground targets. The A-10 has been in service since the 1970s and played a major role in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan invasion.

The shooting down of these two US aircraft comes at a time when the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the region. Thousands of additional US troops have been deployed, raising speculation about possible ground operations aimed at securing key areas near the Strait of Hormuz.

Both the US and Iranian militaries are currently conducting search and rescue operations. The situation remains tense, and further developments are expected in the coming hours.