A second American plane crashed in the Persian Gulf, the pilot was rescued (NYT)

An American A-10 Warthog attack plane crashed on Friday in the Persian Gulf region, and the pilot, the only person on board, was rescued, according to U.S. officials who spoke with The New York Times. The incident coincided with the downing of an F-15E fighter jet by Iranian forces, a rare event since the beginning of the conflict between the United States and Iran.

Details about the A-10 crash are limited, including the circumstances and exact location of the incident. Following the downing of the F-15E, one crew member was rescued, but the fate of the other military personnel remains unknown. Images from social media suggest search and rescue activities in the Khuzestan area of Iran, where American refueling planes and helicopters have been observed. Former head of the U.S. Central Command, William J. Fallon, emphasized the significance of the crash moment, noting that rescue operations may be complicated by ground conditions and the absence of American troops on the ground in Iran. Since the beginning of the conflict, the U.S. military has lost at least 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones over Iran, and "friendly fire" incidents have led to the downing of three F-15 planes in Kuwait.