WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Friday that the downing of a US fighter jet will not impact ongoing negotiations with Iran, according to NBC News.
In a brief phone interview, Trump declined to provide details on the search and rescue operation following the incident, describing it as a sensitive military matter.
He also expressed frustration over media coverage related to efforts to locate crew members after the aircraft was brought down.
When asked whether the incident would influence diplomatic efforts with Iran, Trump dismissed the idea.
“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war,” Trump said.
Earlier, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told CNN that Trump had been briefed on the incident involving a US fighter jet shot down over Iran, later identified as an F-15E Strike Eagle.
The New York Times reported that a second US Air Force aircraft, an A-10 attack plane, also crashed in the Persian Gulf region around the same time.
In a separate interview with The Independent, Trump declined to comment on potential action if the missing pilot in Iran is harmed.
“We hope that’s not going to happen,” he said.
Source: Saudi Gazette