Iran War: US Fighter Jet Reported Shot Down Over Iranian Territory

A US fighter jet was reportedly downed in Iranian airspace, prompting a rescue operation, according to US media. Meanwhile, the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has increased marginally, though levels remain far below those seen before the conflict began.

Israeli Strikes in Lebanon and Tehran

On April 3, the Israeli military announced it was conducting strikes against what it termed “terror infrastructure” in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. Correspondents at Reuters and AFP noted the sound of powerful explosions reverberating through the city. Local reports indicate the attacks targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, following an earlier warning for residents to evacuate the area.

These neighborhoods, a key base for Hezbollah—a militia supported by Iran—have been heavily affected by the Israeli assault. In addition to Beirut, the IDF launched strikes in Tehran, targeting the infrastructure of the Iranian regime, as stated in a military release.

UN Peacekeepers Injured in Explosions

UNIFIL reported three personnel were injured in an explosion near El Adeisse, with two requiring urgent medical attention. All are being transported to hospitals. The source of the blast remains unidentified, as per the statement.

The peacekeeping mission urged all parties to uphold their commitments, ensuring the safety of UN staff by keeping combat activities away from nearby zones. UNIFIL operates along the Israel-Lebanon border, where hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have escalated recently.

Iran’s Search for US Pilot

Iran has deployed troops and offered rewards for information leading to the capture of a US Air Force pilot believed to have been shot down over southwestern Iran on Friday. Fars, the state-run news outlet, stated that military forces have begun a search to locate the American pilot hit earlier that day.

“If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police and military forces, you will receive a valuable reward and bonus,” said an Iranian television anchor on an official channel.

US Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing Middle East operations, hasn’t yet commented on the incident, though The New York Times and Reuters cited US and Israeli officials who confirmed the event and mentioned a rescue mission underway to secure any survivors before Iranian forces could.

Security Council Delays Vote on Hormuz Reopening

The Security Council postponed a vote on employing force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz from Friday to Saturday. The resolution, proposed by Bahrain and supported by Gulf states, allows the use of “defensive” force to shield vessels from Iranian attacks.

According to the Associated Press, the proposal faced opposition from three permanent Council members with veto power: China, France, and Russia, resulting in a diluted version that now permits “the use of all necessary means”—a potential pathway for military action.

On Thursday, China’s representative, Fu Cong, addressed the Security Council, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and ensuring the use of force was both lawful and targeted.