President Donald Trump said the downing of a U.S. fighter jet over Iran would not affect ongoing efforts to negotiate with Tehran, even as search and rescue operations faced direct fire and regional tensions continued to escalate.
In a brief phone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to discuss details of the sensitive recovery mission but pushed back on coverage of the operation.
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The ejection seat from the F-15E that crashed in Iran and Donald Trump
(Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP)
Asked whether the incident would impact negotiations with Iran, he said it would not.
The remarks came as U.S. forces carried out search and rescue efforts following the downing of an F-15E fighter jet over Iran. According to a U.S. official, two American military helicopters involved in the operation were struck by Iranian fire, though all service members aboard were reported safe.
The incident underscores the risks surrounding the recovery mission, which has been described as complex and ongoing. U.S. officials have released few details about the operation or the circumstances of the aircraft’s downing.
At the same time, Washington has issued new warnings to American citizens in the region. The State Department urged U.S. nationals to leave Lebanon, citing a rapidly deteriorating security environment following Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said the situation had become “volatile and unpredictable,” with ongoing airstrikes, drone activity and rocket fire. It warned that Iran and its aligned terrorist groups could target universities in Lebanon and said Americans should leave “while commercial flight options remain available.”
Those unable to depart were advised to prepare contingency plans and be ready to shelter in place.
Iran, for its part, signaled it would not back down.
Iranian defense official Ali Akbar Ahmadian wrote on X that “we will neither retreat under threats nor be swayed by clamor and empty shows.”
“This region is our playing field, and responses are based on rational and realistic calculations, not Hollywood-style theatrics,” he said.
“The Islamic Revolution, in its first step, expelled America from Iran,” he added. “The second step is expelling U.S. forces from the region.”
Talks stall as Tehran rejects mediation
The military developments come as diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have stalled.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Tehran has refused to take part in planned talks in Islamabad, dealing a blow to mediation efforts led by regional actors, including Pakistan.
“Current mediation efforts led by regional countries, including Pakistan, to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have reached a dead end,” the report said.
Iran has informed mediators it is unwilling to meet U.S. officials in Pakistan’s capital and considers Washington’s demands unacceptable.
“Iran has officially told mediators that it is unwilling to meet US officials in Islamabad and that U.S. demands are unacceptable,” the report said.
The refusal comes despite ongoing efforts by regional intermediaries to bring both sides to the negotiating table, with Pakistan playing a central role in facilitating dialogue.
Islamabad had previously said it was prepared to host talks, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stating the country would be “honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks.”
Trump has also indicated that Washington remains engaged, saying earlier that “we’re doing extremely well in that negotiation,” though he has not provided details.
Iran, however, has denied taking part in any Pakistan-mediated process.
In a statement posted on X by its Consulate General in Mumbai, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said there were no direct talks with the United States and that Tehran had received only “excessive and unreasonable demands” through intermediaries.
“Pakistan’s forums are their own; we didn’t participate,” the statement said, adding that while calls to end the war were welcome, “one must remember who started it.”
Baghaei also said Iran had received a 15-point proposal from the Trump administration but described it as “excessive, unrealistic and irrational.”