Iranian military officials said on Friday that their air defence systems shot down a US A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the “Warthog,” near the Strait of Hormuz. According to their claim, the aircraft crashed into the Persian Gulf after being hit.
Iranian state media outlets, including IRIB and Tasnim, reported that the aircraft was targeted in southern waters near the vital shipping route. They described the incident as a major success, saying it was the second US warplane brought down that same day. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
However, US officials gave a more cautious version of events. Speaking anonymously, they confirmed that an A-10 crashed near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time another US jet, an F-15E Strike Eagle, was shot down over Iran. But they did not clearly confirm that the A-10 was destroyed by enemy fire.
US sources said the A-10 pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and was rescued. No deaths were reported in this incident.
What Happened in Detail
A-10 Warthog:
The single-seat attack aircraft went down in the Persian Gulf region. Some US reports, including CBS, said the jet may have taken damage while supporting a rescue mission for the F-15E crew. One report suggested the pilot managed to reach friendly airspace, possibly near Kuwait, before ejecting safely.
F-15E Strike Eagle:
This two-person fighter jet was confirmed to have been shot down over southwestern Iran. One crew member has been rescued, while search operations are still ongoing for the second. This is seen as a serious loss for US forces involved in Operation Epic Fury.
Different Versions of the Story
There are clear differences between Iranian and US accounts. Iran has highlighted the incident as a strong defence success, while US officials have avoided directly blaming enemy fire for the A-10 crash.
So far, there is limited independent evidence to confirm whether the aircraft was hit by a missile or crashed due to other reasons. Reports also suggest that rescue helicopters in the area came under fire and may have been damaged.
Rising Tensions in the Region
These incidents come at a time of growing conflict between the US and Iran. American aircraft have been carrying out strikes on Iranian targets, while naval forces are active in the Gulf.
The A-10 Warthog has been used in recent days for low-level attacks on Iranian fast boats and vessels accused of threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
As the situation worsens, concerns are increasing over the safety of US air operations, especially during rescue missions close to Iranian territory.
Global Impact
Following these reports, oil prices have risen, and maritime insurance costs have also increased. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for oil transport, so any conflict there affects global markets.
The Pentagon and US Central Command have not yet released a full official statement about the A-10 incident as of early Saturday, April 4.
This remains a developing story, and more updates are expected as new information becomes available.
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