An American A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet, known as the "Warthog," crashed into the waters of the Gulf near the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Friday night.
This occurred after reports emerged about two missing pilots after an F-15 jet was shot down.
According to reports from Iran's state media and the Tasnim news agency, quoting Iran’s military public relations unit, the country's air defense systems intercepted and struck the American attack jet. Tehran was quick to boast about the incident, claiming it was the second successful hit on a US military aircraft within 24 hours.
On the other hand, the American version presents a different picture, though it lacks detail and leaves much room for doubt. According to a report by The New York Times, citing two unnamed US officials, the sole pilot aboard the A-10 was safely rescued.
These officials refused to provide data on the exact location and circumstances of the crash. CNN, which also reported the incident, reached out to the US Department of Defense for an official statement, but has not yet received a response.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II 'Warthog'
The A-10 jet, originally designed for close air support against ground targets, is one of the US Air Force’s oldest and most recognizable aircraft, its loss representing a significant blow to both its image and operational capabilities.
The crash near the Strait of Hormuz comes at a particularly problematic time for the US military, having occurred almost simultaneously with the downing of an F-15E fighter jet over Iranian territory.
While the pilot was rescued in the A-10 incident, only one of the two crew members was rescued in the F-15E incident, and search-and-rescue teams are still frantically searching for the second missing crew member.