U.S. Air Dominance Claims Shattered as Iran Downs Two Warplanes

US President Donald Trump’s assertion of total control over Iran’s airspace was dramatically undermined on Friday when two American warplanes were shot down within hours of each other. An F-15E fighter jet was downed over southern Iran, while an A-10 Thunderbolt was reportedly hit near the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon confirmed the F-15’s pilot was rescued, but a search-and-rescue mission is underway for the second crew member. Iranian state media claimed the A-10 crashed in Kuwait, with the pilot also rescued. Two Black Hawk helicopters assisting in the rescue were reportedly struck by Iranian ground fire but managed to withdraw safely into Iraq.