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The White House announced on Truth Social that the United States has retrieved the second airman from the two‑person crew of an F‑15 fighter that Iran said was downed by its air defenses. The rescued officer, identified as a colonel, was described by President Donald Trump as a "brave Warrior" who endured injuries but is expected to recover fully. Trump’s post highlighted the operation as a "miraculous" rescue, adding that it followed a prior successful extraction of the first crew member the day before. He emphasized that the missions were carried out without any American fatalities or injuries, underscoring his claim of "overwhelming air dominance" over Iranian skies. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that a U.S. aircraft searching for the missing officer was shot down in the southern province of Isfahan. According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the downed plane was a C‑130 transport, destroyed by the Faraj Rangers, a police commando unit. The agency posted images of thick smoke rising from the crash site and accused the U.S. of attempting to conceal a defeat. Iran has not officially confirmed or denied the rescue of the second pilot, though Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran noted continued air strikes over the area where the fighter was downed. The rescue effort, which involved dozens of U.S. military aircraft, faced “fierce resistance” from Iranian forces, according to reports from Washington. U.S. officials, cited by Al Jazeera, said the downed airman evaded Iranian units for roughly two days before special‑operations troops engaged in a daylight firefight that lasted several hours. The operation, typically conducted under cover of darkness, was unusually prolonged. In a separate incident, an A‑10 Warthog crashed after being hit over Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting safely; details on injuries remain unclear. Trump concluded his statement by asserting that the dual successes—rescuing both pilots without casualties—demonstrated the United States' "air superiority" in the region.

President Donald Trump posted a terse three‑sentence message on Truth Social, giving Iran a 48‑hour deadline to either negotiate a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international traffic. The post, which omitted any reference to the ongoing hunt for a U.S. pilot believed to have ejected after an F‑15 fighter crashed in Iranian airspace, reignited diplomatic friction. Iran’s central military command responded within hours. General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi dismissed the ultimatum as a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action,” warning that the “gates of hell will open” for the United States. Earlier this week, Tehran claimed to have shot down an A‑10 Warthog near the Hormuz Strait, casting doubt on Trump’s earlier assertion that the United States has established dominance over Iranian airspace. The current threat follows a 10‑day deadline announced on March 26, which required Iran to open the strait or face the “destruction” of its energy facilities. That deadline expires on Monday, prompting Trump to write: “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” In Tehran, the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters echoed Aliabadi’s criticism, labeling the message as reckless and unbalanced. Trump’s rhetoric this week has also targeted Iranian infrastructure more broadly. He has threatened to strike power plants, oil facilities, and even “possibly all desalinization plants,” and in a recent national address warned he would bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” More than 100 international law experts have warned that such attacks on civilian infrastructure could violate the Geneva Convention and constitute war crimes. Diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran stays open to negotiations but rejected a “15‑point” plan from the Trump administration as “unreasonable.” The United States, meanwhile, views Iran’s demand for sovereignty over the Hormuz Strait as a “non‑starter.” Pakistan has pledged to continue supporting cease‑fire talks despite the “obstacles.” While Trump has not publicly addressed the missing pilot, NBC News reported that he told the network the incident would not affect negotiations: “No, not at all. No, it’s war.” Experts caution that if Iran captures the pilot, it could give Tehran a powerful bargaining chip and undermine U.S. claims of air‑space dominance. Marina Miron, a researcher at King’s College London, told Al Jazeera that the F‑15 shoot‑down demonstrates Iran’s ability to target U.S. aircraft, contradicting statements from Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth about complete U.S. control of Iranian airspace. She noted that Iran’s likely use of man‑portable air‑defence systems makes locating and neutralising them “much more difficult.” Miron warned that any U.S. rescue attempt could risk additional casualties and further escalation. “It’s a race for time,” she said, noting a critical window of up to 72 hours during which both sides are scrambling to secure the pilot for military and political purposes.

The search for a missing US crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet entered its second day on Saturday, as Iranian media released pictures of wreckage, including a distinctive F-15 tail fin and a used ejector seat.A pilot was rescued on Friday after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war, but the second crew member has not been accounted for.US search and rescue efforts are using low-flying Pave Hawk helicopters and specialist C-130 Hercules transport. Military pilots said the missing crew member would be trying to hide for as long as possible from the Iranian military and potentially seeking to transmit their location relative to a known secret point.Israel extended its war in Lebanon with increased airstrikes, targeting sites in Beirut and Tyre. The Israeli military said it had conducted a wave of strikes on Tehran overnight against what it said were air defence, ballistic missile storage and weapons development facilities.The US president, Donald Trump, said on Friday the episode would not affect efforts to negotiate a peace settlement with Iran. However, he also threatened an unspecified escalation, saying Iran had 48 hours to comply with his demands or face consequences.The conflict has resulted in significant damage and loss of life, with at least 1,900 people killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of the war, according to estimates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

Iran has released footage of US aircraft conducting a search operation for pilots who were shot down in Iranian airspace. The videos, obtained by Iranian authorities, provide a glimpse into the search efforts undertaken by the US military.The release of these videos comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with both countries engaging in a delicate diplomatic dance. The incident highlights the complexities of military interactions between nations and the importance of transparency in such situations.

Iranian military units have launched a coordinated search for the two pilots of a United States F‑15 fighter jet that was struck by an Iranian air‑defence system over the country's southwest region. The operation, reported by the state‑run Fars news agency, is the first documented crew‑recovery effort since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. State media released images showing the aircraft's wreckage, including an ejection seat attached to a parachute, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reuters cited two U.S. officials confirming that a fighter jet was downed and that a search‑and‑rescue mission is underway for any survivors. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf used the event to mock President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of victory, posting on social media that the conflict had been reduced from "regime change" to a plea for the location of the pilots. According to Iranian reports, the downed aircraft was an F‑15 likely crewed by two pilots. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued an immediate comment, a pattern consistent with past Iranian claims that CENTCOM swiftly denied. Local Iranian television broadcast footage of the jet's debris, and officials appealed to civilians to remain vigilant for any survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province announced that anyone who captures the crew would receive special commendation, as relayed by the semi‑official ISNA news agency. U.S. lawmakers responded with statements of support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, "I’m praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions." Since the war's onset, the United States has reported the loss of three F‑15s in a friendly‑fire incident over Kuwait and a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members. Iran, meanwhile, claims to have downed dozens of U.S. drones and continues to assert that its new air‑defence system, introduced after the 12‑day war, remains operational. While President Trump and his advisers repeatedly assert that the United States has neutralised Iran’s air‑defences, the downing of the jet and the ensuing search highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict.

President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric on Thursday, stating that the United States has yet to begin a full‑scale campaign against Iran’s remaining infrastructure and hinting that bridges and electric power plants could be next targets. The comment followed the release of video showing a U.S. strike on the newly completed B1 bridge that connects Tehran to Karaj, an attack that Iran reports killed eight people and injured 95. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike on civilian infrastructure, describing it as evidence of the “defeat and moral collapse” of the aggressor. In a statement posted on X, he warned that such attacks would not force Iran to surrender. The conflict, now entering its fifth week, has begun to ripple through regional and global markets. Instability around the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for oil and gas—has prompted nations to scramble for alternative shipping routes. Satellite images this week captured smoke over Iran’s Qeshm Island, underscoring the heightened risk to infrastructure near the strategic waterway. Amid stalled negotiations with Iran’s new leadership, Trump’s intensified language comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote on a resolution that could authorize member states to use “defensive means” to keep the strait open. Araghchi warned that any provocative action in the Council would only worsen the situation. Iranian media have begun listing potential retaliation targets, naming major bridges in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan as possible future strike points. The semi‑official Fars News Agency highlighted these crossings as vulnerable following the Karaj bridge attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for recent strikes on U.S.-linked industrial sites in the Gulf, including steel facilities in Abu Dhabi and aluminium plants in Bahrain. The IRGC warned that if attacks on Iranian industries continue, “the next response will be much more painful” and will focus on the occupier’s core infrastructure. Health infrastructure has also suffered. Iran’s Health Ministry reported that U.S. and Israeli raids severely damaged the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a key research center for diseases such as cholera and COVID‑19. Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour called the strike “a direct assault on international health security.” WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed the condemnation, noting that the institute is now unable to deliver health services. The WHO has documented more than 20 attacks on Iranian healthcare facilities since the start of March. In a separate claim, Iranian officials said air defenses downed a second U.S. F‑35 fighter jet over central Iran, suggesting the pilot’s survival was unlikely. The United States has not responded to the allegation. Israel’s military reported a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, which triggered air‑defence alerts and caused damage to homes, vehicles, and a train station in Tel Aviv. The widening hostilities, combined with threats to critical energy and health infrastructure, highlight the growing regional volatility and its potential to disrupt global markets.

In a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health, thousands of New Yorkers are making the switch from gas stoves to induction stoves. A recent project in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan has installed induction stoves in 15 co-op apartments, providing residents with a cleaner and healthier way to cook.The project, supported by state and city governments, as well as non-profit groups, aims to reduce the risks associated with gas stoves, including nitrogen dioxide emissions and climate change. According to a study, people who replaced their gas stoves with electric alternatives were exposed to less than half the amount of nitrogen dioxide emissions.Residents, such as Marcos Ramos, are excited about the change. “It makes sense”, he said. “If you’re minimizing risk with the gas, the fire, then environmentally, health-wise, it makes sense. It’s logical.”The induction stoves, supplied by Copper, use magnetic fields to heat cookware directly, making them more efficient and environmentally friendly. The project is part of a larger effort to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York City.Advocates claim that induction stoves are a viable alternative to gas, which has jumped in price amid the Iran war and poses health risks to residents. The city is also working on a $32m pilot to replace gas stoves in 10,000 apartments across the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) system.While some states, including New York, California, and Hawaii, are stepping up to promote induction stoves through rebate programs, others are facing resistance from the gas industry and Republican politicians.

The countdown at Kennedy Space Center is in its final stages for the Artemis II launch, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya confirmed after a Monday management meeting that the mission is cleared for a Wednesday liftoff. Launch window: A two‑hour window opens at 6:24 pm (22:24 GMT) on Wednesday, with daily two‑hour windows remaining available until April 6. The launch can proceed only when the moon’s position, orbital trajectories, weather, and Earth’s rotation align safely. Weather outlook: Forecasts show an 80 % chance of favorable conditions, though cloud cover and high winds remain the primary concerns. The mission has already endured two major setbacks. In early February a liquid‑hydrogen leak forced a scrub, and in early March a helium‑flow issue in the upper stage halted a second attempt. NASA will stream the launch live on YouTube, where viewers can follow the vehicle from rollout to liftoff. Artemis programme overview: Artemis is NASA’s multidecade effort to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable presence near the lunar south pole, and eventually enable crewed missions to Mars. The program comprises five missions (Artemis I‑V). Artemis I, an uncrewed test in 2022, validated the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, providing critical data for the current flight. Mission profile: Artemis II will not land; instead, its four‑person crew will perform a lunar flyby, looping around the far side before returning to Earth. The flight will test Orion’s life‑support, navigation, communications, and overall performance in deep space—conditions that cannot be fully replicated on the ground. Crew members: Reid Wiseman (Commander, 50) – veteran NASA astronaut and former ISS commander. Victor Glover (Pilot, 49) – U.S. Navy aviator, first Black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission, previously flew on SpaceX Crew‑1. Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, 47) – holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and has extensive EVA experience. Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, 50) – Canada’s first astronaut slated for a lunar mission, highlighting international collaboration. During the ten‑day journey the crew will evaluate spacecraft systems, conduct radiation and fire‑response drills, perform a suit‑pressurisation test, and carry out medical and scientific experiments while observing the lunar surface. Strategic importance: Artemis II is a stepping stone toward Artemis III (planned for 2027), which will test integrated operations with commercial landers, followed by Artemis IV (early 2028) – the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 – and Artemis V (late 2028) aimed at establishing a lunar base. The program also reinforces U.S. leadership in space amid rising competition, notably from China.

The destruction of a US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft in an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian airbase has raised significant questions about how a critical surveillance asset was left unprotected and how Iran managed to launch such a precise direct strike.The plane was one of only 16 operational E-3s, which first entered production in the 1960s and carry sophisticated monitoring equipment allowing them to detect airborne threats such as missiles while surveilling assigned battle spaces including communications, troop movements, and air defense sites.The attack that destroyed the aircraft on March 27, while it was parked at Prince Sultan airbase, demonstrated Iran's continuing ability to strike high-value targets in the region despite a month of US and Israeli air raids.Images from the scene show a direct strike on the E-3's radar dome near the tail, suggesting a high degree of accuracy in the attack. The strike also injured US servicemen and damaged several in-flight refuelling aircraft.Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Ukrainian intelligence had information indicating a Russian spy satellite photographed the base three times before the attack—on March 20, 23, and 25. Zelenskyy explained that multiple satellite images typically indicate preparation for an imminent attack.Zelenskyy's comments follow reports that Moscow was providing intelligence to Iran on the location of US forces in the Middle East, a claim denied by Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.The destroyed E-3 was one of six such aircraft deployed to the Saudi Arabian base. These aging aircraft have long suffered from maintenance issues, with the US Air Force's E-3s reportedly having a mission-capable rate of only about 56% in 2024.The E-3 can track up to 600 targets simultaneously over a large area, acting as the eyes and ears for fighter pilots. The loss of this particular E-3 is considered incredibly problematic, as these aircraft serve as crucial battle managers for airspace deconfliction, aircraft coordination, targeting, and providing other lethal effects needed for battlefield operations.While US and Israeli commanders have claimed a decrease in Iran's missile capabilities, experts had anticipated a reduction in Tehran's launch intensity as it conserves military resources. Some analysts suggest Iran may be targeting key enablers of US airpower as part of a deliberate campaign following initial successes by the US and Israel in controlling Iranian airspace.