Downed US Jet, Second Crash Mark New Escalation in Iran War

Damaged buildings in a residential area in Karan.Photographer: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/AP

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By Anthony Capaccio, Patrick Sykes, Arsalan Shahla, and Courtney Subramanian

April 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM UTC

Updated on

April 3, 2026 at 7:51 PM UTC

Iran shot down a US F-15E fighter jet and a second US plane reportedly crashed in the Gulf region, incidents which marked a significant escalation in the five-week war that’s already triggered a global energy crisis.

The developments added to Iran’s stepped-up attacks Friday as the Islamic Republic targeted energy sites in the region hours after President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iranian infrastructure.