Tehran says it will determine outcome of any incursion.

A Ria Novosti report cited an Iranian diplomatic source warning that Tehran would determine the outcome of any U.S. ground operation.

The statement follows remarks by President Donald Trump about potential strikes and comments by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that no military options are ruled out.

Iran has increased military readiness and reinforced key sites, while diplomatic tensions continue at the UN over a Strait of Hormuz resolution. Israeli strikes in Iran and Lebanon and Hezbollah’s retaliatory attacks highlight the widening regional conflict, now in its sixth week.

There will be no swift end to the war. On Friday, Israel's broadcasting authority reported that Israeli officials estimate the war against Iran will continue for at least two more weeks, with the objectives set by the United States and Israel requiring President Donald Trump's approval before they can be executed — a process that demands additional time to complete.

The announcement came on the same evening that Israel declared it would launch a broad strike against Tehran. Shortly after, Iran's Fars News Agency reported that the sound of fighter jets was heard over the Iranian capital and that Tehran's air defense systems had been activated to intercept incoming aircraft and missiles. The agency also reported that the sound of several large explosions was heard over the city.

 The weight of a war now five weeks old pressed down on three capitals simultaneously on Friday. In Washington, the Pentagon unveiled the largest defense budget request in American history. In Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched its 93rd wave of missiles and drones toward Israel. And in Baghdad, authorities extended the closure of Iraqi airspace for another week — three decisions, taken within hours of one another, that together chart the deepening trajectory of a conflict that has remade the Middle East since it began on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

On Friday, an A-10 Warthog attack plane crashed near the Strait of Hormuz and fell into the waters of the Gulf, becoming the latest in a string of American aircraft losses that has deepened concern about the sustainability of Washington's air campaign against Iran.

The pilot status is still uncertain as search operations continue. The loss of the A-10 came at almost the same moment that a separate and graver crisis was unfolding over Iranian skies.

U.S. officials are conducting a high-risk rescue mission to recover a missing airman after an F-15E was shot down over Iran. One crew member has been rescued, while the second remains unaccounted for. Former envoy Brett McGurk warned Iran could seek to capture the serviceman for leverage. Iranian media has urged citizens to report the pilot, offering incentives. Two U.S. rescue helicopters came under fire during recovery operations, with injuries reported but no fatalities. President Donald Trump declined to specify potential U.S. actions if the airman is harmed. The incident comes amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, with no immediate ceasefire in sight.

Türkiye, Russia, and Egypt intensify efforts to contain rising tensions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Israel’s regional policies must be halted, according to a Turkish Presidency statement.

He reiterated Türkiye’s opposition to attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes.

In Moscow, Russian and Egyptian foreign ministers called for de-escalation and emphasized diplomatic coordination to prevent wider conflict.

Egypt said it is working with regional partners, including Türkiye and Pakistan, to advance peaceful solutions, while Russia warned of risks to maritime security and urged a return to negotiations.

Targeted Israeli and U.S. strikes have killed senior Iranian leaders, including Ali Larijani, but the country’s hard-line government remains in place, according to reporting by The Washington Post. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further strikes on infrastructure if no deal is reached. Officials and analysts say Iran has continued retaliatory attacks on regional and U.S. targets, demonstrating sustained command and control. Tehran’s demands, including control over the Strait of Hormuz, have hardened, while prospects for a near-term negotiated settlement remain limited.

One of the two crew members of a U.S. F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jet downed over Iran has been rescued by American forces, U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News, citing two unnamed sources. The jet’s crew normally consists of a pilot and a weapons systems officer, and the search‑and‑rescue mission for the other crew member remains ongoing.

This incident represents a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict, as it is the first known instance of a U.S. manned combat aircraft being downed over Iranian territory during the war.

Earlier Friday, Iranian state media and semi‑official outlets reported that an F‑15E had been shot down and urged civilians to aid in capturing surviving crew members, though such claims could not be independently verified. U.S. forces, including transport and helicopter assets, were reported flying low over central and southwestern Iran in apparent search efforts.

The rescue operation is ongoing, and U.S. officials have not disclosed details on the location or condition of the remaining crew member. No immediate comment was available from Iranian authorities regarding the rescue report.

The IDF conducted over 70 strikes in central and western Iran on April 3, targeting ballistic missile launchers, UAV storage, and air defense sites. Iranian state media reported a U.S. pilot ejected over southwestern Iran, urging locals to assist in the search. Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 23 people over the past 24 hours, while Gulf countries intercepted missiles and drones, with minor civilian injuries reported. Kuwait’s oil refinery and desalination plant were damaged, and the UAE temporarily shut a gas facility. Amnesty International warned of child soldiers in Iran. French and South Korean leaders pledged support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy offered assistance in maritime security. Former Iranian diplomat Zarif proposed terms for a ceasefire.

Fox News says missions reflect increased air superiority.

Fox News reported that U.S. B-52 bombers are now flying over Iran, describing the missions as a sign of increased air superiority.

Gen. Dan Caine said the flights began amid growing control of the air, while Trump said Iran’s defenses had been “annihilated.” 

The report said the aircraft can carry heavy payloads and support sustained strikes.

AP added that Iranian media claimed a U.S. pilot ejected over southwestern Iran, while explosions were reported in Tehran and regional tensions continued to spread across Gulf states.