The Imperial Presidency, Part 2

[robkelk]

How's that claim about Iran being "beaten and completely decimated" holding up?

2 U.S. aircraft go down; 1 crew member missing as war in Iran takes dramatic turn

One U.S. service member was rescued and at least one was missing after two U.S. military planes went down in separate incidents Friday.

It was the first time U.S. aircraft have been downed in the conflict and came just two days after President Donald Trump said in a national address that the U.S. has "beaten and completely decimated Iran."

One fighter jet was shot down in Iran, officials said. A U.S. crew member from that plane was rescued, but a second was missing. A U.S. military search-and-rescue operation was underway.

Separately, Iranian state media said a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after being struck by Iranian defence forces. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation, said it was not clear if the aircraft crashed or was shot down.

The war now entering its sixth week is destabilizing economies around the world as Iran responds to the U.S. and Israeli attacks by targeting the Gulf region's energy infrastructure and tightening its grip on oil and natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.