Washington: US President Donald Trump has said the destruction of an American military aircraft will not affect diplomatic talks with Iran, according to a report by NBC News.

Rejecting suggestions the incident could derail negotiations, Mr Trump said: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war.” His comments mark his first public response to the loss of a US aircraft during the ongoing hostilities, as military operations and diplomatic efforts continue in parallel.

The President declined to provide details about search-and-rescue efforts, citing their sensitive nature, and criticised media coverage of what he described as a “complex and active military operation”.

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Meanwhile, Tehran has stepped up its claims regarding the incident. Iranian officials said they had shot down a US A-10 aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera, citing the Tasnim news agency. The report stated the aircraft was targeted in waters south of the key shipping route, though the claim has not been independently verified.

The A-10 is a US ground-attack aircraft designed primarily for close air support missions against ground forces.

In a related development, CNN reported that US forces had successfully rescued one crew member from a downed American fighter jet over Iran. The individual is said to be alive, in US custody, and receiving medical treatment.

However, the fate of a second crew member remains unclear, with search-and-rescue operations still ongoing. Technical details indicate the aircraft involved was an F-15E Strike Eagle, typically operated by a two-person crew.

Analysis by CNN of images released by Iranian media suggests the wreckage is consistent with an F-15. The The Wall Street Journal cited Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, which first reported that the jet had been brought down and published a map highlighting the search area for the pilots.

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Although the precise crash site has not been confirmed, geolocated footage from Khuzestan Province appears to show low-flying aircraft in a formation associated with air-to-air refuelling operations. The incident is believed to mark the first time a US aircraft has been downed over Iran during the current conflict.

US outlet Axios reported that a rescue mission was under way as Iranian media circulated images of debris, including what appeared to be a tail fin linked to the 494th Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath.

Despite the emerging evidence, neither the US military nor the White House has officially confirmed the status of the crew.