After more than a month of intense US and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian positions, Iran’s military capabilities, though degraded, continue to pose a significant challenge. In a rare escalation, Iran shot down two American military aircraft, marking a notable event not seen in over two decades and demonstrating Tehran’s ongoing ability to retaliate despite claims from U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran has been “completely decimated.”
The recent attacks occurred five weeks after the initial wave of US and Israeli strikes. President Trump had previously stated that Iran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed.” However, Iran’s actions suggest a different reality.
On Friday, Iran downed a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet. US officials confirmed that one service member was rescued, while search efforts for a second crew member continue. Additionally, Iranian state media reported that an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft was also shot down in the Persian Gulf region after being hit by Iranian defenses.
How Iran Hit US Jets
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released footage purportedly showing US fighter jets being targeted by surface-to-air missiles. The images appear to have been captured using optical and infrared (IR) sensors rather than traditional radar systems. The high-contrast thermal images are characteristic of Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) tracking technology.
With many of Iran’s radar-guided missile systems likely destroyed by recent precision strikes from the US and Israel, Iran is believed to be relying heavily on passive sensors that detect heat signatures from aircraft engines and airframe friction. Infrared systems lock onto targets by sensing heat radiated from jet engines, allowing missile operators to guide their weapons accurately without radar.
This development underscores Iran’s continued ability to defend its airspace and strike back despite ongoing efforts to weaken its military infrastructure.
