Latest Update: US aircraft downed as Iran claims air defence victory

[0:00] We have correspondents covering developments here in Doha, Beirut, Tehran and Washington, D.C., [0:07] where Al Jazeera's Rosalind Jordan is standing by for us. [0:10] So, Rosalind, media reports awash with statements about and claims about U.S. planes, jets, ground support jets, helicopters coming under fire. [0:24] Is the U.S. officially confirming anything at this point? [0:26] Well, the U.S. is saying that there are searches underway for one of the airmen in the F-15 Air Force fighter jet [0:37] that did go down somewhere in southwestern Iran on Friday. [0:42] One of the two airmen was rescued safely, but they have not found the second person. [0:48] They also did indicate that a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, [0:53] which has been taking part in the search for the second airman, [0:58] in that F-15 crash, was shot at, but was able to continue flying. [1:04] There are some conflicting reports that a second helicopter, also a Black Hawk, was also shot at. [1:09] But we do know that at least one has been fired upon ostensibly by the Iranian military, but is still airborne. [1:17] And then, of course, there is the A-10 Warthog, another Air Force plane, [1:22] which provides close ground support for any troops that are on board. [1:28] On the ground, that has apparently gone down. [1:31] One of the two crew members has been found. [1:35] The other one is still being looked for. [1:38] All right, stay with us, Ross. [1:39] And we're going to bring in Mohamed Val in Tehran. [1:41] Mohamed, the Iranian military says it used an advanced air defense system to bring down the plane. [1:47] Let's listen in to the statement. [1:53] In response to the false claims made by the U.S. president regarding the complete destruction of Iran's air defense system, [2:00] the American fighter jet was targeted and destroyed in the skies over central Iran [2:04] by a new advanced defense system to the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard [2:10] as part of the country's integrated air defense network. [2:13] The aircraft was completely destroyed. [2:17] So we heard what they had to say, Mohamed, about a first plane. [2:19] They're also talking about a second A-10 plane being hit, rescue helicopters coming under fire. [2:27] So what is their narrative of what happened, how they... [2:31] tracked, detected all these planes, and what happened to the crew? [2:39] Yes, I mean, they didn't give details about how they tracked those aircraft, those fighter jets, [2:45] but they talk about sophisticated and new anti-aircraft systems that are being deployed [2:51] or have been deployed in this war. [2:53] And they talked about that first aircraft early in the morning. [2:56] They even showed some wreckage, and they seem to be trying to identify whether it was an A-35 [3:03] or whether it was a... [3:05] an F-35 or F-15. [3:08] So until now, there are conflicting reports here in Iran whether it was this one or that one. [3:14] But it's confirmed that this aircraft has been downed by Iranian defense air systems, [3:20] and they are talking proudly of it. [3:22] There are even celebrations about it in the streets, [3:24] even though celebrations are happening every night here in Tehran. [3:27] But tonight, a new vigor in those celebrations because they are proud of the Iranian defense systems [3:33] and the Iranian army, its capability. [3:35] Particularly after the Americans said many times, particularly the president, Donald Trump, [3:40] said many times that that air system on air defenses capabilities have completely been obliterated [3:46] even in the first one or two weeks of the war. [3:49] So now this is a huge surprise by the Iranian army. [3:54] And they are also talking about the second aircraft, an A-10 that was downed near the Gulf. [4:04] And some of the... [4:05] some of the statements coming from the government here and the media talking about researching for the pilots. [4:12] And that's what's going on. [4:14] There are no detail about those two aircrafts, how they were downed. [4:18] But clearly, clearly, the Iranians are showing new surprises to the Americans and talking about more to come. [4:25] But also, by the way, Sami, they are talking about not just one, not two. [4:29] They are talking about five helicopters that have been shot, some of them shot down and some of them damaged. [4:35] And that's what's going on here in the media. [4:39] And also, that's what's being said by the government and particularly the army and IRGC. [4:45] Rosalind in Washington, D.C., is this changing the picture presented by U.S. officials about the state of Iranian air detection at this point? [4:56] Well, certainly the Trump administration has been very keen to portray the Iranian military's components, [5:02] whether naval or air force or army, being decimated. [5:07] Offering up high percentages of equipment and facilities being destroyed by U.S. airstrikes. [5:15] But clearly, the ability of the Iranians and in this case, the IRGC, to bring down at least one, if not more, U.S. aircraft, [5:25] all of which have the capability of flying at low altitude, the F-15E flying at a much higher altitude normally when it's going from point A to point B. [5:36] It does. [5:37] It does indicate that the U.S. military was not able to destroy all of the air defense systems which the Iranian military may have in its possession. [5:47] It's also worth pointing out just in general terms that whether it's the Iranian military, the U.S. military or any other military with an air defense system, [5:55] these systems are not stationary. [5:58] They are not established in one location. [6:00] They are typically mobile and can be moved from one place to another for best positioning. [6:07] In the middle of combat, they are also stored typically when they are not needed for combat purposes. [6:15] And so it may be why these strikes have now been happening and these U.S. aircraft have been downed as a result. [6:25] It is noteworthy that this is happening now on the 33rd day or 34th day of the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran. [6:35] Mohammed Val, as this is going on. [6:38] There have been more U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. [6:42] Are we seeing something of a targeting of more critical civilian infrastructure from airports, universities, even a recreational center? [6:54] Well, that's right, Sami. [6:55] Just a while ago, there were huge blasts here in Tehran in many parts of the city as usual. [7:01] That's something that we notice happening every single day. [7:04] But today, huge blasts reported by people around the city. [7:09] Still not clear what targets have been. [7:11] Except that we know that Shahid Bejt University here in Tehran was one of those targets. [7:17] And that's something that is subject to condemnation here in Iran. [7:21] That's a civilian facility. [7:23] And it's just one of a series of civilian facilities that have been struck over the last several days and weeks. [7:30] We talked about bridges. [7:32] We talked about other universities and also power facilities and schools. [7:40] Scores of schools. [7:41] They have been destroyed or partly damaged during this war. [7:46] And that's why Iranians are threatening to retaliate. [7:49] And they have been retaliating to some extent against similar targets across the region and particularly in Israel. [7:56] We have also some other cities that have been hit today. [8:00] Rumia and Khurram Abad. [8:02] Those also have been bombarded over the day. [8:05] But we receive reports on an hourly basis, even minute by minute, about strikes. [8:11] So that means... [8:11] That these strikes are continuous as we speak. [8:14] All right, let's thank both our correspondents, [8:18] Mohamed Val in the Iranian capital Tehran and Razan Jordan in Washington, D.C. [8:25] Israel has followed through on threats to blow up two key bridges in southern Lebanon. [8:30] The Sahmar and Majgara bridges connect the north and south of the country. [8:35] These pictures are from earlier on Friday before the attack. [8:39] The military says it's trying to prevent Hezbollah from moving reinforcements. [8:43] Israel. [8:44] The Israeli forces have been stepping up their invasion of the south, destroying homes and infrastructure. [8:49] Heidi Pett is live for us in Beirut. [8:51] So where is the destruction of these bridges? [8:53] Where does it leave the people in the region and Hezbollah's supply routes? [9:01] So these two bridges that Israel has destroyed earlier this evening are not the first that they've destroyed in this war. [9:07] In fact, they are the eighth and ninth bridges over the Latani River that Israel has targeted and attempted to destroy in the last couple of weeks. [9:15] Now, these two were significant. [9:17] It's two bridges. [9:17] They're very close to each other, connecting the towns of Sahmar and Majgara, which are two towns in the southern end of the Beqaa Valley. [9:25] So that represents an expansion of Israel's targeting of civilian infrastructure in Lebanon. [9:31] Previously, the bridges they targeted were across the south of Lebanon. [9:34] But these ones, they're just below a dam, like right up at the very top of the Latani River. [9:39] But the overall effect of this targeting of bridges across the Latani serves to isolate southern Lebanon from the rest of the country. [9:46] And this latest round. [9:48] This evening is now beginning to isolate the Beqaa Valley. [9:51] And there's been an ongoing Israeli attempt through their ground invasion. [9:55] In fact, they've been focusing on towns just to the south of there, like Hiam, attempting to sever the link between the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon. [10:03] And these are two areas where Hezbollah has traditionally operated from a position of strength. [10:07] It's had fighters and weapons positioned in both of those areas. [10:11] And Israel says that its aim in destroying these bridges, the civilian infrastructure, is to prevent Hezbollah from using it. [10:17] And it's also been key, fierce fighting around some of the key places like Bint Jebel. [10:26] Where is that leaving the ground offensive by Israeli forces? [10:35] Yeah, so Israel's ground offensive has continued to expand over the last day or so. [10:39] But specifically around Bint Jebel, what they seem to have been attempting to do, [10:43] and it's a continuation of a strategy that they've been employing across the south more broadly, [10:47] is rather than going straight into dense urban areas or even villages, [10:52] where Hezbollah may still have a presence, [10:54] they're attempting to encircle or flank some of these towns and villages. [10:58] And there's been an ongoing focus on Bint Jebel, which is one of the larger towns in the south. [11:03] And as I said, instead of going straight into it, [11:06] they've been attempting to sort of come around and they've been focusing their efforts on villages around there. [11:11] And so that is why we have seen a large amount of artillery shelling over the last 24 hours in that area, [11:17] as well as a number of airstrikes. [11:19] There have been more than 30 airstrikes across the south. [11:22] In the last day or so, and artillery shelling as well. [11:26] So obviously much closer range. [11:27] That's where we can indicate that Israeli troops are really operating on the ground inside southern Lebanon, [11:32] or at least very close to it in 20 other locations across the south of Lebanon today. [11:37] Now, the other development, of course, is this continued destruction or detonation of homes, [11:43] which is happening in towns and villages very close to that border region. [11:47] Israel has signaled its intention to completely destroy. [11:52] Many. [11:52] Of these towns and villages, but it's not just the ones that are very close to the border. [11:55] We're also seeing places like Nauru. [11:57] We've heard reports of the detonation of homes in that town as well, [12:01] which is right on the coast, on the Mediterranean Sea. [12:04] And that's the focus of another axis that Israel is attempting to push forward deeper into southern Lebanon. [12:11] They've been attempting to move into Nauru, but also a couple of key towns. [12:16] We're looking at Shema and also Ras Bayada a little bit further up the coast there where they're attempting to make progress. [12:21] But. [12:22] We have once again seen a number of statements from Hezbollah saying that they're targeting Israeli troops with drones, [12:28] missiles and rocket fire both inside Lebanon, attempting to prevent that advance from continuing, [12:33] but also targeting Israeli settlements inside Israel and troop movements and bases over the border as well. [12:40] All right, we'll leave it there. [12:41] Thanks so much to Heidi Platt reporting to us from Beirut in Lebanon. [12:47] One person has been killed after Iranian missiles were intercepted in the United Arab Emirates. [12:52] Four other people were injured. [12:54] But. [12:54] They were also killed by debris from the interception. [12:56] The attack targeted Abu Dhabi's Habshaan gas facility, where operations have been suspended. [13:05] Let's speak to Victoria Gatenby. [13:07] She's live for us from Doha. [13:09] So before we talk about the strikes, let me ask you this question. [13:15] And we've heard about more ships, French ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. [13:21] Victoria, are we seeing Iran de facto impose a new system of passage through the Strait of Hormuz? [13:26] In the absence of any agreed formal protocol, it would appear that effectively Iran is getting to pick and choose at the moment who passes through this very key waterway. [13:39] So normally on any given day, he would have around 100 vessels going in either direction. [13:46] Now we're down to just a trickle, maybe a handful getting through each day. [13:51] There was a French vessel that managed to get through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. [13:55] And we've also seen in the last few days. [13:58] Vessels flagged from Japan, Thailand, Greece, Malaysia, China, Pakistan, India, and Iraq get through. [14:05] But the ones that haven't been getting through are the vessels flagged to the U.S., Israel, [14:11] the U.K., and other U.S. allies. [14:14] And there have been reports that Iran is charging the vessels that are getting through some [14:20] kind of payment. [14:21] Now there is some positive news for the international community who rely on the energy flows going [14:26] through the Strait of Hormuz. [14:28] Iran and Iran have been working on some kind of protocol, it is said. [14:33] But there are key questions that remain. [14:35] What will that protocol look like? [14:37] Will it be acceptable to the international community? [14:39] Will it include some kind of payment that Iran charges to get through that waterway? [14:45] The GCC has said that is unacceptable to them. [14:48] Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, has said that is unacceptable to the U.S. [14:54] And thirdly, is it acceptable to President Trump? [14:56] He's been giving mixed messages on the Strait of Hormuz. [14:58] Some days, he says, it's up to allies who rely on that strait to get their energy through [15:05] to unblock that waterway. [15:07] Other days, he says, the U.S. military will force it open. [15:10] And then just a few days ago, he said that it would automatically open when the conflict [15:15] ended. [15:18] And I mentioned casualties in the Gulf. [15:21] Take us through the strikes happening on the Gulf today. [15:23] Yeah. [15:25] So we've had a report from Abu Dhabi's media office. [15:28] An update, really. [15:30] The attack, the missile attack on its gas facility in Habshan. [15:35] It says that falling debris was successfully intercepted, but it did start some fires at [15:41] that facility. [15:42] And during the evacuation process, an Egyptian national was killed and four others were injured. [15:49] Falling debris has become a huge problem for the authorities in Abu Dhabi. [15:54] They do successfully intercept the missiles and drones almost entirely. [15:58] But even today, 12 people were injured. [16:00] And it's given some updated figures in the last hours or so. [16:06] It says today it was targeted with 28 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles, and 50 drones. [16:11] And there have also been attacks in Kuwait on a desalination plant there. [16:16] Israel has been blamed for that by Iran. [16:19] They say it was a false flag. [16:21] But the Kuwaiti authorities certainly blaming the Iranians for that attack. [16:25] And there's also been an attack on an Israeli plane. [16:28] Yeah. [16:29] And there's also been an attack on an oil refinery for the third time. [16:32] So these attacks are still coming thick and fast across the GCC region. [16:38] Thanks so much to Victoria Gatenby from Doha.