Iran Claims Second U.S. Aircraft Downed as Tehran Residents Celebrate Outdoors

Iran’s military announced on Friday that it had brought down a second U.S. warplane over the Gulf, state television reported, after an earlier F-15 fighter crash in the country’s southwest.

“An American A-10 aircraft, hit by the air defence systems of the Army’s Air Defence Force, crashed into the Persian Gulf,” IRIB said, quoting military officials.

Meanwhile, Iranian and U.S. forces are competing to locate the crew of the first jet reportedly downed inside Iran since the conflict began. Tehran says it shot down the F-15, while U.S. media reports indicate American special forces have rescued one of the two crew members. Iranian state TV in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province aired footage appearing to show debris from the aircraft.

The war, which started more than a month ago with U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has since spread across the Middle East, shaking global markets and affecting millions.

In what could mark the first confirmed U.S. jet loss inside Iran since President Donald Trump ordered military action, U.S. Central Command has yet to comment. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The president has been briefed.”

Tehran Pushes On With Traditions

Despite ongoing fighting, many Iranians gathered in parks across Tehran on Thursday to mark the final day of Persian New Year celebrations, showing resilience in the face of war and U.S. threats of further escalation.

The conflict has now lasted over a month, and Trump — who initiated the campaign alongside Israel on February 28 — has warned Iran could face intensified strikes for another “two or three weeks.”

Even as explosions were reported in the capital, families filled parks under mild, cloudy skies, celebrating Sizdah-bedar, or Nature Day, a longstanding holiday tradition.

“We must keep this ritual alive under all circumstances, even in the current situation and despite the distress we feel,” said Roya Abhari, 39.

“I saw President Trump’s message, and wondered: will Iran really go back to the Stone Age in two or three weeks?” she said, adding she came out “to be around people, recharge and feel better.”

Across the park, small groups shared meals, brewed tea, and grilled food, while others played games or sang together.

“It (war) doesn’t disrupt anything at all for us. We are living a normal life… We are not afraid of war,” said Hakim Rahimi, 43, a metalworker.

Still, the relaxed scenes contrast with the wider impact of the conflict, as blasts continue to hit parts of the city and families grieve losses. Earlier that day, strikes reportedly caused severe damage to a century-old medical facility.

Tehran’s parks, long valued as green escapes from urban life, have taken on added importance as safe gathering spaces during the conflict.

However, Iran’s warning of “crushing” retaliation if U.S. attacks intensify has raised fears of a deeper escalation across the region.

“I hope God gives our soldiers strength every day,” said Parastou Safiani.