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A second U.S. military aircraft went down in the Persian Gulf region on Friday, this time near the Strait of Hormuz, with the pilot safely recovered, according to U.S. media citing officials familiar with the incident.
The A-10 Warthog, a ground-attack aircraft typically used to support troops in land operations, crashed under unclear circumstances, The New York Times reported.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that the aircraft was shot down and crashed into waters around the strategic waterway, according to reports carried by Tasnim news agency citing military sources.
The A-10 Warthog is a U.S. ground-attack aircraft built to provide close air support for troops on the battlefield. Designed for low-altitude operations, it is known for its durability and ability to absorb damage while continuing to fly.
The aircraft is equipped with a powerful 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon and is widely used to target armored vehicles, tanks and ground positions.
Its long loiter time allows it to remain over combat zones for extended periods, supporting forces on the ground.
The crash unfolded almost simultaneously with the earlier loss of a U.S. fighter jet over central Iran, where one crew member was rescued while the second remains missing as search efforts continue, officials told CBS News.
Both pilots had ejected before the aircraft went down inside Iranian territory, early reports indicated, though their condition was not immediately clear.
The White House also confirmed the incident, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt telling U.S. media that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation.
Trump told NBC News that the downing of the U.S. jet would not affect negotiations with Iran, dismissing any impact on diplomacy. "No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war," he said.
The incident marked the first U.S. aircraft downed by Iranian fire since the war began on Feb. 28. Earlier in the war, three F-15 jets were lost in a separate friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses, with all crew members ejecting safely.
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