2 US warplanes downed, Iran rejects US’ 48-hour ceasefire proposal

Iran Rejects U.S. Ceasefire Proposal as Regional Conflict Intensifies

This image from video provided by US Central Command shows an F-35 being launched from an aircraft carrier in support of Operation Epic Fury on Feb 28, 2026. (US CENTRAL COMMAND VIA AP)

TEHRAN / JERUSALEM / WASHINGTON / DUBAI — Tensions across the Middle East escalated sharply Friday after Iran dismissed a U.S.-backed proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, signaling that the rapidly widening conflict shows little sign of slowing.

According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, the proposal was quietly delivered through a “friendly” intermediary nation on Thursday. But Tehran’s response was swift—and unmistakable.

Rather than issuing a formal reply, Iran signaled its rejection on the battlefield.

Sources cited by Fars say Washington has intensified diplomatic efforts in recent days, particularly after an Iranian strike targeted what was described as a U.S. “military forces depot” on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island. The reported attack appears to have heightened urgency in Washington, as concerns grow over the vulnerability of American assets in the region.

Iranian officials, however, appear to see the situation differently. According to the report, Tehran believes the ceasefire proposal came only after the crisis deepened and exposed what it called “serious problems” for U.S. forces—stemming from a misjudgment of Iran’s military capabilities.

Escalation Follows Deadly Joint Strikes

The latest developments come in the aftermath of a dramatic escalation on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Tehran and other major Iranian cities.

The attacks reportedly killed Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians—marking one of the most consequential moments in the region’s modern history.

Iran responded with sweeping retaliation, unleashing waves of missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets and U.S. assets across the Middle East, pushing the region closer to a broader confrontation.

Conflicting Claims Over Downed Aircraft

Amid the intensifying conflict, Iran claims to have struck multiple U.S. aircraft in a single day—though these assertions remain unconfirmed by Washington.

The Iranian army announced that its air defenses shot down an A-10 “Warthog” attack aircraft over southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz, with the jet reportedly crashing into the Persian Gulf.

Earlier, the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for downing a U.S. F-35 fighter jet over central Iranian airspace.

Adding to the confusion, Iran’s Mehr News Agency later reported that a U.S. Black Hawk helicopter was also hit while conducting a search-and-rescue mission for a downed pilot.

The United States has not officially confirmed these losses.

However, Israeli media outlets, including Channel 12, reported that at least one pilot from a downed U.S. aircraft was safely rescued, though the fate of another crew member remains unclear. Israel is reportedly assisting in intelligence operations to locate missing personnel.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials—speaking to local media—acknowledged that two rescue helicopters came under Iranian fire during recovery efforts, though no injuries were reported.

Separate reports from The New York Times indicate that another U.S. combat aircraft went down in the Persian Gulf region around the same time, with one crew member rescued and search efforts ongoing for another.

Israel Claims Major Blow to Iran’s War Industry

In Tel Aviv, Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israeli airstrikes have destroyed approximately 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity—a claim that, if verified, would represent a significant удар to Tehran’s military-industrial base.

Speaking alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior military officials, Netanyahu described the strikes as a “tremendous achievement,” arguing that they would severely limit the ability of Iran’s military to fund and produce weapons.

He also made clear that operations are far from over.

“Together with the United States, we will continue eliminating commanders and targeting critical infrastructure,” he said.

Economic Fallout Spreads to Gulf Region

The conflict’s impact is already rippling beyond the battlefield.

Emirates Global Aluminium confirmed that its massive Al Taweelah complex—one of the world’s largest aluminum production facilities—sustained significant damage following Iranian missile and drone strikes.

Located within the Khalifa Economic Zones in Abu Dhabi, the site was forced into a full emergency shutdown after the March 28 attacks, with injuries reported among personnel.

The company stated that the entire complex—including its smelter, refinery, and power plant—was evacuated, and early assessments suggest it could take up to a year to fully restore production.

The facility alone produced approximately 1.6 million tonnes of aluminum in 2025, underscoring the broader economic stakes as the conflict deepens.

A Conflict With No Immediate End in Sight

With diplomacy faltering, military actions intensifying, and economic consequences spreading across the region, the situation appears increasingly volatile.

Iran’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal sends a clear message: for now, the conflict is set to continue—on multiple fronts.

And as each side doubles down, the risk of a wider regional war grows ever more real.