Iran War Updates: Search and rescue on for US pilots after fighter jet shot down in Iran

Reports suggest that a US Black Hawk helicopter may have come under fire over Iran while conducting a search and rescue mission for a missing F 15E crew member, with unverified visuals showing the aircraft trailing smoke as it crossed into southern Iraq, though there has been no official confirmation of the incident.

Israeli Channel 12 has claimed that one of the crew members of a US F 15E fighter jet downed over Iran has been successfully rescued, though there has been no official confirmation from US authorities, who have only said that a search and rescue operation for the two crew members is underway.

A U.S. Air Force F-16CJ is flying out of Iran/Iraq airspace and has squawked 7700— the universal code for a general in-flight emergency, indicating the crew is dealing with a serious issue.

Iranian air defense systems have successfully downed a US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Iraqi airspace, according to unconfirmed reports circulating widely on Iraqi media channels, Tasnim news agency reported.

Donald Trump said that with more time, the US could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, access oil supplies and generate significant gains, describing it as a potential “gusher” for the world in a post on Truth Social.

A US pilot may have been captured in Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly shot down F-35 and F-15 E fighter aircraft of the US, Iranian media reported on Friday. The claims could not be independently verified.

Local Iranian TV said that anyone who captures a US pilot alive will receive a valuable reward.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Iran is "a very bad regime" and stressed that there is no debate on that point, while underlining his disagreements with Tehran on multiple issues.

However, he cautioned against relying on military action to resolve the situation, saying bombings or military operations alone would not bring lasting solutions.

Macron pointed to past interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, arguing that such efforts failed to deliver results even after 20 years. He emphasised that the sovereignty of people must be respected, adding that any change in regime should come from within, if citizens choose to act and take charge themselves.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement said on Friday that it had carried out a joint military operation targeting Israel’s Jaffa area, signalling a potential escalation in the wider West Asian conflict. In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at what he described as key Israeli targets.

A container ship identifying itself as French owned has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic data reviewed on Friday. The Malta flagged vessel Kribi, operated by French shipping group CMA CGM, crossed the strategic waterway on Thursday afternoon, exiting the Gulf despite tight restrictions imposed by Iran since the start of the Middle East conflict.

A fire broke out at the Habshan gas facility in the UAE after debris from a missile that was intercepted fell on the site, according to Abu Dhabi media authorities. Operations at the plant have been temporarily halted while teams manage the blaze, and no injuries have been reported, the office added on X.

Israeli military says missiles fired from Iran are heading toward its territory, and air defence systems are actively working to intercept them, the army has stated. 

Iran has released a list of eight major bridges across the Middle East that could become targets in retaliation for recent US-Israeli strikes. The announcement, carried by the semi-official Fars News Agency, follows an attack that partially destroyed the B1 bridge in Karaj. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is implied to be responsible for any future strikes, signaling a potential tit-for-tat response to the ongoing conflict. Read the full story here. 

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has spoken in detail about his proposed plan to end the conflict with the United States. Hours after outlining what he called a roadmap for Iran to declare victory and stop the war, Zarif explained why he decided to make the proposal public. In a post on X, he said he felt conflicted, angry over comments by Donald Trump, but also proud of Iran’s military and its people. Despite this, Zarif said he believes the war should end in a way that protects Iran’s national interests.

Iranian media claims a second US F‑35 fighter jet was shot down over central Iran, though the US has not confirmed the report yet.

Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was targeted by a drone strike early today, sparking fires in several sections of the facility. Emergency response and firefighting teams were quickly deployed to control the flames and prevent further damage, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Israel’s Home Front Command has issued warnings about possible rocket and missile fire near Malkiya, Kiryat Shmona, Tel Hai, and Metula in the Upper Galilee region. Earlier on Friday, the Home Front Command also alerted residents of a “hostile aircraft intrusion” in the Western Galilee area. The command is responsible for civilian protection and coordinating emergency responses during such security threats.

US President Donald Trump has issued a series of sharp warnings against Iran, claiming that the US military “hasn’t even started” targeting the country’s remaining infrastructure. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!” He added that the new Iranian leadership “knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!.”

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected claims made by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it shot down an “enemy” fighter jet near Qeshm Island. In a post on X, the US military said all its aircraft are safe and fully accounted for, dismissing the report as false. It also added that Iran has made similar claims several times before, calling them repeated misinformation about incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a sharp warning to Iran, threatening it to either strike a deal or face further devastation. He made the remark while claiming that US strikes had destroyed Iran’s biggest bridge. Trump also shared a video showing thick smoke billowing from the structure as it burned, underscoring the intensity of the attacks. Read the full story here. 

The government of Dubai has strongly denied claims that an Iranian military unit attacked a data center belonging to Oracle in the city. The Dubai Government Media Office quickly responded to the reports circulating online, calling them completely false. In an official statement shared on social media, authorities said there had been no such attack or attempt, and urged the public not to believe unverified information. Read the full story here. 

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to step down and retire immediately, the Pentagon said on Thursday, without giving a reason for the departure as the United States wages a war against Iran. The decision marks a significant leadership transition as the administration seeks a commander who "will implement President Donald Trump and Hegseth's vision for the Army." Read the full story here.