Three days ago, Trump said the war was nearing completion. Friday, an American F-15E was shot down over Iran and a second crew member was still missing.
The day started with a Truth Social post. “With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump wrote Friday morning. “IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD???”
He followed it hours later with another. “KEEP THE OIL, ANYONE?”
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The internet had thoughts.
Lives don’t matter to Trump , just gains and what benefits him personally lmao. USA will regret ever electing this retard for generations to come. A total stain on America the country I love and cherish.
— Ajadi (@ajadi_jadi) April 3, 2026
It’s not our oil, Mr. con man.
— Cain Walker (@Rob05824852) April 3, 2026
Search and rescue teams are still looking for a missing US military member from a downed jet in Iran, but the so-called commander in chief is more focused about keeping the oil that neither belongs to him nor the US.
— 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢 (@ChidiNwatu) April 3, 2026
No mention of the downed American pilots. What a disgrace.
— Ex-GOP Hilary ❌👑 🦋🇺🇸🇺🇦🇨🇦 (@hplem) April 3, 2026
Days prior, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz “was not for us,” leaving it to allies. A week later, the strategy flipped three times, but the F-15 didn’t care.
Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was watching. He had plenty to say. “This brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from ‘regime change’ to ‘Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?'” He followed up with: “What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses.”
After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from “regime change” to “Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?🥺”
Wow. What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 3, 2026
The F-15E is a two-seat aircraft.
One crew member was rescued by American helicopters. The helicopter carrying the rescued pilot was then hit by small arms fire, wounding crew members on board. It landed safely.
The search for the second crew member, a weapon systems officer, was still ongoing Friday afternoon. Iranian state media urged civilians to help locate and capture US aircrew, with a provincial governor announcing a reward of 10 billion tomans, roughly $70,000, for information leading to the capture of the missing American.
An A-10 Warthog was also damaged taking fire during the search and rescue operation. Its pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was recovered safely.
Both Trump and Hegseth had repeatedly insisted the war of the skies over Iran was effectively over. Trump said Wednesday that Iran had “no anti-aircraft equipment” and their radar was “100 percent annihilated.” “We are unstoppable as a military force,” he said. The F-15 was shot down the following Friday.
The night before the shootdown, Trump had posted a video of a bridge near Tehran being destroyed. “The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again. Much more to follow!”
He followed it with threats to destroy Iran’s power plants if no deal was reached. “Our Military hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!”
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
