Trump breaks silence on F-15 shot down by Iran
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has commented for the first time on Iran’s downing of an American F-15 fighter jet. He said that it will not affect negotiations with Tehran, NBC News reports.
Trump declined to discuss details of the ongoing search-and-rescue operation in Iran following the downing of the US fighter jet.
At the same time, the US President expressed frustration over some media coverage of the military operation. He also answered a question about whether the incident involving the American aircraft would impact any negotiations with Iran.
"No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war," he said.
Background
On April 3, Iran shot down a US F-15 fighter jet for the first time since the start of the American military campaign. The aircraft had two crew members on board. The exact location and circumstances of the incident have not yet been clarified.
Iranian state media have already announced a reward for information on the American pilots.
Later, Iran shot down a Black Hawk helicopter that was involved in the search for the F-15 pilot. According to US authorities, all crew members of the helicopter have been located and are safe.
In addition, CNN reported that Iran still has thousands of drones in its arsenal — around 50% of its total arsenal. About half of Tehran’s missile launch systems also remain intact.
A day earlier, the US Department of Defense decided to double the number of A-10 attack aircraft in the Middle East. An additional 18 planes were deployed to the region, joining about a dozen already there. The total reached 30.
