Saturday, 4 April 2026
Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, resulting in one crew member being rescued by U.S. special forces while a second remains missing. The Iranian military is also conducting a search for the missing airman and has encouraged civilians to assist, offering rewards for their help. This incident marks the first downing of a U.S. warplane by Iranian forces during the ongoing conflict.
President Trump warned Iran of potential strikes on bridges and electric power plants if Iranian leaders do not agree to U.S. terms to end the ongoing war, following the downing of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet in Iran. The recent U.S. bombing campaign has resulted in at least 13 casualties from an attack on a bridge near Tehran, while Iranian officials have threatened to disrupt commercial shipping through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The conflict has intensified, with Brent crude oil prices rising nearly 8% to around $109 per barrel amid escalating military actions.
Tehran has formally rejected a 48-hour ceasefire proposal from the United States, according to Iranian media reports. The diplomatic overture, conveyed through an unnamed intermediary, coincides with heightened military tensions, including the recent downing of a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over Iran, from which one crew member has been rescued while the fate of the second remains uncertain.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that global food prices rose by 2.4% in March, reaching an average of 128.5 points, primarily due to energy-related pressures from the ongoing conflict in Iran. The FAO warned that if the conflict persists beyond 40 days, food prices could increase by 15% to 20% in the first half of 2026, as high input costs may force farmers to reduce planting or switch to less intensive crops, impacting future yields and food supply.
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