US Military Jets Shot Down in Iran Conflict

First enemy fire downing of American warplanes in over 20 years exposes Iran's continued military capabilities.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:25pm

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Iran shot down two U.S. military jets in the ongoing conflict, marking the first time American warplanes have been downed by enemy fire in over two decades. The attacks show Iran's ability to strike back despite claims the country's military capabilities have been 'dramatically curtailed'.

Why it matters

The downing of the U.S. jets, an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 attack aircraft, is a rare and significant escalation in the conflict with Iran. It demonstrates the Islamic Republic's continued military prowess and its capacity to inflict damage on American forces, despite the U.S. and Israel's recent airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran's defenses.

The details

Experts believe Iran likely used shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles to shoot down the American jets, which were flying at lower altitudes that made them more vulnerable. While the U.S. has maintained air superiority, Iran's air defense system remains a stubborn threat, with the country continuing to launch strikes against Israel and Gulf Arab neighbors.

  • On Friday, Iran shot down the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet.
  • The last time a U.S. warplane was shot down by enemy fire in combat was an A-10 Thunderbolt II during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The players

Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran, which shot down the American military jets, demonstrating its continued military capabilities despite recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who asserted that Iran's 'ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed', though the recent downing of American jets proves Iran's forces remain a stubborn foe.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that this hasn't happened until now is an absolute miracle. We're flying combat missions here, they are being shot at every day.”

— Houston Cantwell, Retired Air Force Brigadier General and former F-16 fighter pilot

“A disabled air defense system is not a destroyed air defense system. We shouldn't be shocked that they're still fighting.”

— Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran program senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies

What’s next

The U.S. military is continuing search and rescue operations for the second pilot whose jet was shot down.

The takeaway

The downing of American warplanes by Iran's forces, the first such incident in over 20 years, underscores the Islamic Republic's resilience and ability to inflict damage on U.S. military might, despite the recent airstrikes aimed at degrading its defenses.