Where are Iran’s power plants that Trump has threatened to destroy?

President Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with military action, specifically targeting power plants and bridges, if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He issued an ultimatum with a deadline of April 7th, later extended, threatening to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges. While Trump has not specified which power plants would be targeted, Iran operates hundreds of power plants, mostly gas-fired, concentrated near major population centers like Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. A recent US-Israeli strike damaged the B1 bridge near Tehran. Legal experts contend that targeting civilian infrastructure constitutes a violation of the laws of war. Iran denies holding direct talks with the US.

In April 2026, a US F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran. According to US President Donald Trump, the two crew members ejected, and while the pilot was quickly rescued, the weapons systems officer required a more complex rescue operation. Trump stated the airman, a Colonel, was rescued from deep within the mountains of Iran after evading capture for two days. The US president reported that two raids took place, one in broad daylight, and that the mission involved US forces spending seven hours over Iran. Trump indicated a firefight occurred between US and Iranian forces during the rescue, though Iran has not confirmed this. He plans to provide further details at a press conference.

Amidst the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, an American F-15E fighter jet was shot down over southern Iran on Friday, marking the first manned US aircraft downed since the war began in late February. While the pilot was quickly rescued, a second crew member was missing, prompting a race between the US and Iran to locate him. On Sunday, President Trump announced the successful rescue of the missing airman, hailing it as a "daring" operation. Chinese analysts acknowledge the rescue demonstrates US capabilities, while former PLA personnel highlight Iran's success in downing the aircraft as a morale boost and a sign of its continued threat. Iran had offered a reward for the airman's capture.

Despite the successful rescue of an F-15 crew member, the downing of the US warplane in Iran serves as a reminder of Iran's ability to retaliate against the US. The incident, occurring five weeks into a US-Israeli bombing campaign, marks the first US warplane shot down by hostile forces since 2003. While the exact cause of the downing is unclear, it highlights that US air superiority is not absolute. The rescue operation involved the loss of two C-130 Hercules transporters and damage to an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, resulting in over $250 million in lost and damaged airframes. The US deemed the extensive rescue politically necessary to prevent Iran from capturing the crew, which would have been a propaganda victory for Tehran.

After a US F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, a search and rescue operation was launched to find the missing weapons systems officer. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that the airman was successfully rescued from a mountainous region of southwestern Iran, sustaining injuries but expected to recover. The US and Iran both initiated searches, with the IRGC reportedly offering a reward for the airman's capture. The US operation involved dozens of aircraft and a CIA tracking effort, while the BBC reports there was an engagement between US and Iranian forces during the rescue. Tasnim, an Iranian news agency, reported five Iranians were killed during the operation.

In April 2026, a US F-15E fighter jet was shot down in Iran during the 37th day of the US-Israel war on Iran. President Trump confirmed that the second pilot was rescued by US forces after 48 hours, following a firefight with Iranian forces. The US and Iran were in a race to locate the airman, with Iran calling on the public to turn him over. Analysts suggest that capturing a US pilot would have been a significant victory for Iran and a blow to the US. The rescue occurred amidst escalating tensions, including Trump's threats to bomb Iranian energy plants and a 48-hour deadline for Iran to make a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and 26,500 injuries in Iran since the initial US-Israeli strikes.

President Trump confirmed the U.S. successfully rescued a second pilot from an F-15 fighter jet downed in Iran. The pilot, a colonel, was reportedly injured but safe after being behind enemy lines in the mountains of Iran. This rescue follows the successful retrieval of the first crew member, which was kept quiet to protect the second operation. The rescues resolve a crisis for the White House amid ongoing conflict with Iran, now in its sixth week. Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims to have shot down another U.S. aircraft involved in the search for the missing officer in Isfahan province, though this has not been independently confirmed.

Following the reported downing of a US warplane, possibly an F-15, over southwestern Iran, a search is underway for a missing American airman. Iranian forces claim to have shot down two US warplanes, the F-15 and a second A-10 Warthog involved in the rescue mission. One crew member from the F-15 was rescued, while the pilot of the A-10 ejected safely and was also rescued. The search for the remaining airman is ongoing, complicated by reports of gunfire during US search-and-rescue efforts. Iranian state TV is offering rewards for the capture of the missing crew member. The incident's cause and precise location are still under investigation.

In a rare event, Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft, an F15-E Strike Eagle fighter jet and an A-10 attack aircraft, marking the first time in over 20 years that a U.S. fighter jet has been shot down by enemy fire. The incident occurred after weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, despite claims that Iran's military capabilities had been significantly reduced. One service member from the F15-E was rescued, while the search continues for the second. The last similar incident was in 2003 during the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Experts suggest the downing demonstrates Iran's continued ability to retaliate and highlights the difference between air superiority and complete air supremacy.

Iranian forces have launched a search operation for the crew of a U.S. fighter jet downed over southwestern Iran on Friday. Iranian media released photos of the wreckage, including what appears to be an ejection seat. U.S. officials confirmed a fighter jet was shot down and a search and rescue operation is underway. According to Iranian reports, the aircraft was an F-15 jet, likely manned by two pilots. Iranian officials have called on civilians to assist in the search, with a reward offered for the capture of the crew. The downing is the first reported incident since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that it shot down an F-35 fighter jet over Iranian airspace using a new, advanced defense system. The IRGC claimed this was the second F-35 they have downed, stating the aircraft was completely destroyed and the pilot's fate is unknown. As of Friday, there was no initial confirmation of the incident from the United States, which has been engaged in conflict with Iran alongside Israel since late February. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has previously dismissed Iranian claims of downing US fighter jets. However, the US military admitted last month that an F-35 made an emergency landing after a combat mission over Iran, though the pilot was reported to be stable.

A US F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran, marking the first such incident since the start of the conflict. Iranian state media released images of the wreckage, initially claiming it was from an F-35, but aviation experts identified it as an F-15E from a US Air Force squadron based in the UK. US officials confirmed the downing and the Pentagon is conducting a search and rescue operation for the two-person crew. Iranian media showed footage of US helicopters, suggesting a combat search and rescue mission. Conflicting reports emerged, with Iran initially claiming the pilot was likely dead, then later stating a pilot had been taken into custody, while urging citizens to hand over any "enemy pilot."

Following Pam Bondi's dismissal, Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney and the current deputy attorney general, has taken over the Justice Department in an acting capacity until a permanent replacement is confirmed. Separately, tensions between the US and Iran have escalated. President Trump threatened further attacks on Iran's infrastructure, specifically mentioning bridges and power plants. Iran claims to have shot down a second US F-35 fighter jet, reporting the pilot likely did not survive. The incidents and threats highlight a period of heightened conflict between the two nations.