A US Air Force F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran by a shoulder-fired missile, marking the first such loss for the US. President Trump confirmed the incident and warned of potential war with Iran, setting a Tuesday deadline for the Strait of Hormuz.
Shootdown Details
- The F-15E was downed over Iran over the weekend by a Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS), a shoulder-fired heat-seeking missile.
- President Donald Trump stated that the missile hit the aircraft's engine, saying, "This one was a shoulder, handheld shoulder missile, heat-seeking missile. … you got to get lucky, but they shot it, and it got sucked in right by the engine."
- Both the pilot and weapons system officer were rescued from Iranian territory.
Rescue Operation Losses
- The rescue operations led to further US losses, including an A-10 attack jet, two MC-130J Hercules special mission aircraft, and at least one helicopter.
- These losses represent hundreds of millions of dollars in aircraft, contrasted with the missile's cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.
MANPADS Threat
- MANPADS are portable air-defense systems that are easy to transport and conceal.
- Iran's arsenal includes Soviet-era Strela missiles, Russian Igla missiles, and locally produced Misagh missiles, among others.
- According to a US State Department fact sheet, MANPADS launch tubes are 4 to 6.5 feet long, about 3 inches in diameter, and weigh from 28 to 55 pounds.
- Their portability makes them a significant threat to lower-flying aircraft.
Trump's Warnings and Deadline
- Trump warned about the risk of war with Iran following the shootdown.
- He set a deadline for the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, emphasizing the escalating tensions.