Search for Missing US Airman in Iran Intensifies
Following the downing of a US warplane, US and Iranian forces are engaged in a search for a missing American crew member. Iranian state television reports that the country has claimed to have shot down two US aircraft, one of which was an F-15 operating in the southwest region. A second plane, an A-10 Warthog, was involved in a mission to rescue the F-15’s crew. The F-15 had two crew members aboard, with one rescued and the other still unaccounted for, according to CBS. The A-10’s pilot safely ejected into the Gulf and was recovered by rescuers, CBS notes.
Iran is offering financial incentives for anyone who can capture the missing crew member alive, as reported by Iranian state TV. During search-and-rescue operations, US crews reportedly faced gunfire from unknown sources. Senior international reporter Joel Gunter provides an overview of the current understanding of the incident.
Global Stories from BBC Correspondents
The BBC’s Will Grant highlights how a country’s energy crisis is affecting pregnant women in different ways. At the annual CPAC conference in Texas, attendees express mixed opinions about Operation Epic Fury, launched by the US and Israel on 28 February. In New York, the BBC was present in a courtroom where the former Venezuelan leader argued for funding his defense using government resources.
In Manila, BBC News Asia Business Correspondent Suranjana Tewari reports from a petrol station amid ongoing fuel shortages. More than 10 million people in Cuba are experiencing power outages after the national electrical grid collapsed again. Meanwhile, the BBC’s Analysis Editor examines President Trump’s inconsistent messaging regarding the Iran conflict.
International Developments
After the entire national electrical grid failed in Cuba, the BBC’s Will Grant documents the aftermath in the region. Venezuela celebrated its first-ever World Baseball Classic victory, defeating the US 3–2 in the championship match. A US actor, who has won three Oscars, attended the ceremony but chose to visit Ukraine instead.
Australia granted humanitarian visas to seven team members, though only two decided to remain, as explained by the BBC’s Katy Watson. In Doha, International News correspondent Barbara Plett Usher explores the Souq Waqif market as regional strikes persist. The animated film *Retirement Plan*, voiced by Domhnall Gleeson and directed by John Kelly, is nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Strategic and Regional Updates
The UK has deployed a Type 45 Destroyer to the Mediterranean following an Iranian drone strike on the runway at RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus on 1 March. During a press briefing, US President Donald Trump described the operation as a “tremendous success,” emphasizing the goal of preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities. As Middle East tensions escalate, the price of crude oil surged past $100 per barrel on Monday.
The BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale, is in Ukraine to assess the latest anti-drone technologies being developed. Ten days after President Trump announced the attack, people across the US share their perspectives on the conflict’s potential outcomes with the BBC.
Strategic Importance of Kharg Island
“Kharg Island holds critical significance for Tehran due to its location and infrastructure,” explains BBC Security Brief’s Mikey Kay.
