Trump says Iran downing US F-15 won’t stop negotiations: ‘We’re in war’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump reportedly said on Friday, April 3, that Iran’s downing of a US fighter jet and the ongoing search for a missing crew member will not affect negotiations with Tehran, stressing that military conflict and diplomacy are separate matters.

The incident involved a US F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iranian territory. One crew member was rescued successfully, while search teams continued efforts to locate the second pilot in difficult terrain.

Trump says Iran downing US F-15 will not stop negotiations with Iran

NBC News reported that during a brief phone interview with President Trump, he declined to provide operational details about the search and rescue efforts underway after the fighter jet was downed in Iran.

The president described the situation as highly sensitive and expressed frustration with how some news outlets were covering the unfolding military operation.

When asked whether the loss of the aircraft and the missing pilot would alter his plans to continue discussions with the Iranian regime, Trump dismissed the idea outright.

“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war, Garrett,” he told reporter Garrett Haake.

Trump’s remarks suggested that the administration intends to keep diplomatic channels open even as tensions between the United States and Iran escalate.

US search mission underway for missing F-15 pilot

The downing of the F-15 marked a significant development in the ongoing conflict and triggered an immediate recovery mission for the aircraft’s crew.

While one crew member was successfully rescued, US Central Command confirmed that recovery operations were still underway to locate the second pilot.

Search-and-rescue teams were reportedly operating in a mountainous region under contested conditions, deploying multiple aircraft and support systems to navigate the challenging terrain.

Officials have not disclosed further operational details as the rescue mission continues. 

Trump raises oil and Strait of Hormuz in Truth Social posts

As the search for the pilot who ejected more than 15 hours earlier continued, Trump took to social media to highlight what he described as the economic stakes of the conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, “Keep the oil, anyone?” which followed an earlier message suggesting a more aggressive posture toward Iranian resources.

“With a little more time, we can easily open the Hormuz Strait, take the oil, & make a fortune. It would be a ‘gusher’ for the world???” Trump wrote.

Earlier in the week, during a primetime address on Wednesday, the president suggested that responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz should not fall solely on the United States.

Trump argued that NATO allies and other countries reliant on the shipping corridor should play a more proactive role in protecting the vital route.

“When the conflict is over, the strait will open up naturally,” he said, adding that US partners must “take care” of the corridor and “cherish it.”