The US fighter jet was downed in Iran by a shoulder-fired missile

White HouseThe U.S. fighter jet was downed in Iran by a shoulder-fired missileIran’s military may be badly damaged by the U.S. and Israel’s campaign. But that damage has exposed a more enduring threat: asymmetric warfare, in which individuals or small groups of militants can pose threats strategic to the American military. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Add NBC News to GoogleTrump reveals new details about daring rescue of airman from Iran02:48Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 6, 2026, 9:15 PM EDTBy Gordon Lubold, Dan De Luce, Courtney Kube, Daniel Arkin and Mosheh GainsWASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the American F-15 fighter jet was brought down in Iran by a shoulder-fired missile, leading to the dramatic rescue of two airmen — a glaring reminder of the complexity of the conflict and the perils still posed by Tehran. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Trump and his top officials have said the six-week campaign has devastated the Iranian military, all but eliminating its navy and air force, and damaged countless missile sites and launchers and drone factories. U.S. Central Command said Monday it has hit more than 13,000 targets and damaged or destroyed more than 150 Iranian vessels so far. But neutralizing conventional military capabilities is exposing a more enduring threat as Trump weighs sending American troops on the ground for another mission inside Iran: so-called asymmetric warfare, in which individuals or small groups of militants can pose strategic threats to the American military. Trump acknowledged that reality for the first time Monday when he was asked at the White House briefing room about the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has all but shut down. “We can knock them for a loop, but to close the strait, all you need is one terrorist,” he said. At a White House news conference Thursday, Trump revealed Hollywood-style details of the rescues of bo...