Iranian forces launched a search operation on Saturday for a missing United States pilot after two warplanes were brought down amid intensifying hostilities in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, officials from both sides confirmed.
Iraq Closes Shalamcheh Border Crossing After Airstrikes Kill Iraqi Citizen
According to reports, an Iranian strike downed a US F-15E fighter jet, while another aircraft, an A-10 Warthog, crashed in Kuwait after being hit. Two US airmen were rescued, but one pilot remains missing, raising fears of a high-stakes search operation inside Iran.
US officials said two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the rescue mission also came under Iranian fire but managed to exit Iranian airspace. The condition of their crews remains unclear.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing southwestern ????? near the crash site, while local authorities called for the capture of the missing pilot.
The incident underscores continued risks to US and Israeli aircraft despite claims by US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that allied forces maintain control of the skies.
Tensions Escalate Across Region
The war, now in its sixth week, has expanded across the region, with attacks reported in Beirut, Haifa, and parts of the Gulf.
In Dubai, debris from intercepted missiles struck buildings, though no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli forces said they were targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah in Beirut.
Iran also struck a power and water facility in Kuwait, highlighting vulnerabilities in Gulf infrastructure, while drone attacks targeted energy facilities operated by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
Additional strikes were reported in Bushehr, where a Red Crescent warehouse was hit, and in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, where air defences intercepted incoming threats.
US Threatens Expanded Strikes
President Trump intensified warnings, stating that US forces could target Iran’s infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, signaling a potential escalation of the conflict.
Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, mocked US objectives, saying the war had shifted from regime change to a “hunt for pilots.”
Efforts to mediate the conflict appear stalled, with reports indicating Tehran has declined talks with US officials despite diplomatic initiatives involving Pakistan.
Wider Impact
The conflict has already killed thousands and injured tens of thousands, while also triggering a global energy crisis. Oil prices surged sharply, with US crude jumping 11 per cent amid fears of prolonged disruption, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
The ongoing war continues to destabilise regional security and global markets, with no immediate resolution in sight.
