Iran may have used Chinese missile to shoot down U.S. fighter jet, sources say

Iran warIran may have used Chinese missile to shoot down U.S. fighter jet, sources say China may also have provided Iran with a long-range early-warning radar that spots stealth aircraft meant to evade detection, people familiar with the matter tell NBC NewsListen to this article with a free account00:0000:00An F15 fighter plane on Jan. 7 above Mildenhall, England. Dan Kitwood / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 29, 2026, 6:05 PM EDTBy Dan De Luce, Courtney Kube, Katherine Doyle and Gordon LuboldWASHINGTON — The F-15 fighter that was shot down over southwestern Iran last month and set off a dangerous rescue mission was probably struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile, three people with knowledge of the matter told NBC News. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.In the early days of the conflict, China also may have provided Iran with a long-range early-warning radar that spots stealth aircraft that are meant to evade detection, according to one of the people and a U.S. official with knowledge of the matter. U.S. officials are still investigating the circumstances around the shootdown of the American F-15E Strike Eagle in April, the sources said. It was the first time in decades that a U.S. fighter was downed by enemy fire. It’s not clear when the military equipment was handed over. But Iran’s use of weapons made in China complicates Americans’ relationship with Beijing at a time when President Donald Trump has sought China’s help in ending the conflict. Negotiations to end the war are ongoing even as the U.S. continues to launch what it calls “defensive” strikes. The Trump administration brokered a ceasefire with Iran ahead of a crucial meeting with President Xi Jinping earlier this month. As the primary customer for Iran’s oil exports, China’s leaders have said the war must come to an end. “We are not immune to global oil prices at some point, because we do buy from the global market,...