Iran may have used Chinese missile to shoot down U.S. fighter jet, sources say
Iran may have used a Chinese-made missile to shoot down a U.S. F-15 fighter jet last month, according to sources. The incident marks the first time in decades that a U.S. fighter has been downed by enemy fire. U.S. officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootdown while ongoing negotiations aim to end the conflict.
- ▪The F-15 fighter was likely struck by a shoulder-launched missile made in China.
- ▪Iran may have received a long-range early-warning radar from China to detect stealth aircraft.
- ▪The U.S. is investigating the shootdown, which complicates relations with Beijing amid ongoing negotiations.
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Iran warIran may have used Chinese missile to shoot down U.S. fighter jet, sources say China may also have provided Iran with a long-range early-warning radar that spots stealth aircraft meant to evade detection, people familiar with the matter tell NBC NewsListen to this article with a free account00:0000:00An F15 fighter plane on Jan. 7 above Mildenhall, England. Dan Kitwood / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 29, 2026, 6:05 PM EDTBy Dan De Luce, Courtney Kube, Katherine Doyle and Gordon LuboldWASHINGTON — The F-15 fighter that was shot down over southwestern Iran last month and set off a dangerous rescue mission was probably struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile, three people with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.
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