Arabic version: إيران تدعي إسقاط طائرات حربية أمريكية مع تصاعد النزاع

Iran has claimed responsibility for shooting down two US warplanes, escalating the ongoing conflict between the nations. According to Al Jazeera, search and rescue operations are underway for a missing American crewmember after an F-15E Strike Eagle went down over the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces and an A-10 Warthog crashed into the Gulf.

The Iranian government celebrated the incidents, claiming they demonstrate its military capability despite assertions from the Trump administration that Iran’s defense infrastructure had been severely damaged. Reports indicate that a US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search was also hit by Iranian fire but managed to remain airborne.

The human toll of the conflict continues to rise, with Iranian authorities reporting at least 2,076 deaths and 26,500 injuries since hostilities began on February 28. Diplomatic efforts appear stalled, with Iran rejecting a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire.

In related developments, missile strikes from Iran have targeted southern Israel, causing damage to an industrial site. Despite significant economic costs and disruptions to daily life, support for the war against Iran remains high among Jewish Israelis, although analysts caution that this backing may eventually erode.