Lion and Sun flag of IranIran Revolution 26
All Reports
Day 35 of the WarFriday, April 3, 2026

Day 35: U.S. F-15E Shot Down Over Iran — Pilot Behind Enemy Lines as Tehran Burns

Admin22 strikes6 casualties
Tehran & KarajProvincial IranLebanon & Region

Extensive IDF Airstrikes Pound Tehran and Karaj

Iran
  • IDF launches "extensive" wave of airstrikes across Tehran — extremely heavy bombing reported over the capital and Karaj. Netanyahu authorized the strikes.source
  • Massive fire northeast of Tehran after U.S.-Israeli airstrike. Explosions reported over Kolchechal at 23:20 and Jamaran mountains. Multiple neighborhoods affected.source
  • Citizens report explosions at Khorramdasht Industrial Town (Pardis area) at 4 PM. Strikes hit Abek area in north Tehran.source

Strikes Across Iran — Tabriz, Isfahan, Abadan, Dezful

Iran
  • Strike hit Eyneal Mountain near Tabriz at 17:44. Isfahan mountainous areas also targeted.source
  • Missile launches detected from Meybod at 18:50 and — for the first time — from Amol at 18:56. Additional launch from Dezful at 20:00.source
  • Iran actively restoring missile capabilities — satellite imagery shows crews digging out buried launchers and bunkers hours after strikes.source

Iran Retaliates — Missile Launches From Multiple Sites

  • IRGC releases video of F-15E shootdown — claims air defense success as propaganda victory. Video shows surface-to-air missile tracking and hitting aircraft.source
  • Regime insider message: "The regime is willing to sacrifice its entire population to stay in power. There is no moderate faction. They all want the same thing — survival at any cost."source
  • Popular Mobilization Forces (Iran-backed) have set up camps in Iran's streets and squares — Reza Pahlavi warns of internal regime escalation.source

Human Rights & Civilian Impact

  • Images show IRGC police and Revolutionary Guard positions hit across Iran. Citizens document strikes from multiple cities.source
  • Analyst Saeed Ghasseminejad warns: "People telling Trump that regime change has happened are wrong — new leaders are the same hardliners under a different name."source

U.S. F-15E Shot Down Over Iran — First American Aircraft Lost

  • A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran — the first American aircraft lost in the conflict. The New York Times confirmed the loss citing two U.S. officials.source
  • One crew member has been rescued; the second pilot remains behind enemy lines. Intense rescue operations ongoing. Iranians pray for his safe return.source
  • Iranian Air Defense Force released video claiming to show the shootdown. CENTCOM disputes the claim, stating the jet was downed by surface-to-air missile, not IRGC intercept.source
  • A U.S. A-10 Warthog also crashed near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time — circumstances under investigation.source
  • Two U.S. helicopters were hit by Iranian fire during the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission — all service members reported safe.source

Trump: "No, It's War" — Iran Refuses Talks

  • Asked if the F-15 shootdown changes calculus, Trump responds: "No, it's war." Declines to discuss specifics of the downed pilot in national address.source
  • Wall Street Journal reports Iran has stated it is "not willing to meet" with the United States for negotiations.source
  • CENTCOM 5th week update: "Making undeniable progress" — Operation Epic Fury continues with aerial refueling and AWACS operations at sustained tempo.source

Lebanon: Bridge Destroyed, UNIFIL Peacekeepers Wounded

Global
  • Israel destroys bridge in Lebanon. Hezbollah rocket strikes UNIFIL position — 3 peacekeepers injured.source
  • Abu Dhabi Media Office reports casualties from falling interceptor debris following Iranian missile barrage.source
  • IRGC-linked media claim Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base in Jordan — hosting U.S. jets — was targeted by Iranian missiles.source

Sources