India, April 4 -- The reported downing of United States military aircraft by Iran marks an unusual development in modern conflict dynamics.

Such incidents involving American warplanes are rare and highlight the continued operational capability of Iran's air defence network, even after weeks of sustained strikes by US and Israeli forces.

The claims emerged amid ongoing hostilities, with Washington previously asserting that Iran's military capacity had been significantly reduced.

However, the reported incidents suggest that Tehran retains the ability to respond in contested airspace.

US officials confirmed that an F-15E Strike Eagle was brought down, with one crew member rescued while search efforts for another continue.

Iran says IRGC...