April 3, 2026
Major developments we’re following:
A U.S. A-10 aircraft has been hit by Iranian air defenses, Iranian state media reported, citing Iran’s Army public relations office. The Associated Press reported earlier that a second U.S. Air Force combat aircraft had gone down in the Middle East on Friday. No other information was immediately known, including the whereabouts of the pilot.
- One crew member has been rescued after an American aircraft was shot down in Iran, U.S. and Israeli officials said Friday on condition of anonymity. Iranian TV had said at least one crew member ejected, and urged Iranians to deliver any “enemy pilot” to police. Iranian state media claimed in a post on X that Iran’s military shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle. This was the first U.S. aircraft lost in Iran during this war.
- News from Iranian media of the downed jet came as an explosion hit Tehran and Iran fired on targets across the region, setting Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery on fire and damaging a desalination plant. Such plants provide most drinking water for Gulf states and have become a major target.
- A U.S. strike on Thursday on a major Iranian bridge that was under construction killed eight people celebrating the close of Persian new year. Iran decried the strike on civilian infrastructure, while Trump cheered the bridge’s collapse and threatened, “Much more to follow.”
- Trump is asking Congress to boost defense spending to $1.5 trillion, the largest such request in decades.
A-10 aircraft hit by Iranian air defenses, second US aircraft to go down in the Middle East
By SAM MEDNICK, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, SEUNG MIN KIM
A U.S. A-10 aircraft has been hit by Iranian air defenses, Iranian state media reported, citing Iran’s Army public relations office.
The Associated Press reported earlier that a second U.S. Air Force combat aircraft had gone down in the Middle East on Friday.
No other information was immediately known including the whereabouts of the pilot. The Pentagon and White House did not immediate comment.
The A-10, also known by the nickname Warthog, is a single-seat aircraft.
31 min ago
JUST IN: Iranian state media says a US A-10 attack aircraft was hit by Iranian air defense forces
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
1:31 p.m. PDT
White House says Trump won’t appear before press on Friday
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
The White House at 4 p.m. EST called a “lid” for press, indicating the president would not be making any appearance in front of the media for the day.
The call came hours earlier than normal and signaled the president and White House are remaining tight-lipped as the search-and-rescue mission continued.
1:25 p.m. PDT
Trump declines to speak about search for missing crew member
By MICHELLE L. PRICE
In a brief telephone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to discuss the search and rescue effort.
He was asked if it would impact negotiations with Iran and said, “No, not at all. No, it’s war.”
1:12 p.m. PDT
Status of a second service member unknown after F-15E shot down
By LISA MASCARO
The House Armed Services Committee has been notified by the Pentagon that the status of a second service member is not known after the downing of the fighter jet.
The panel was told that an F-15 was shot down and one service member has been recovered, according to a congressional aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose the private communication.
The other service member’s duty status is unknown, the aide said.
That generally means the Defense Department does not know the person’s whereabouts and they have gone missing.
12:48 p.m. PDT
Second US aircraft went down
By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN
A second U.S. Air Force combat aircraft went down in the Middle East on Friday, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation.
It was not clear if the aircraft crashed or was shot down or whether Iran was involved. Neither the crew’s status nor where the aircraft went down was immediately known.
The New York Times earlier reported that the second aircraft went down.
Also Friday, a U.S. fighter jet was shot down in Iran and one crew member was rescued.
12:28 p.m. PDT
One person killed in fires caused by falling debris in Abu Dhabi
By NOHA ELHENNAWY
The Abu Dhabi government media office said Friday that one Egyptian national was killed in fires caused by falling debris at Habshan gas facilities, following the interception of an Iranian aerial attack, according to a statement posted on X.
In the same fires, another four expats, including two Egyptians and two Pakistanis, sustained minor wounds, added the statement.
The Abu Dhabi government did not specify whether air defenses had intercepted a missile or a drone.
“Significant damage has occurred at the facilities and an assessment is ongoing,” read the statement.
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