Did Iran Use Chinese Missile To Down US F-15E Fighter Jet? Report Makes Alarming Claim

Last Updated:May 31, 2026, 18:05 IST

A report claimed that the US fighter jet downed in Iran in April, which triggered a dangerous rescue mission, may have been struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile.

A US F-15E fighter jet that went down over southwest Iran in April may have been struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile, marking the first time a US fighter was downed by enemy fire in decades, according to a new report.

NBC News, citing sources, reported that the fighter jet downed in Iran last month, which triggered a dangerous rescue mission, may have been struck by a Chinese-made shoulder-launched missile. The report also found that China may have provided Iran with a long-range early-warning radar that spots stealth aircraft meant to evade detection.

US officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootdown of an American F-15E Strike Eagle in April. Iran’s use of Chinese-made weapons is expected to complicate America’s relationship with Beijing, particularly after US President Donald Trump sought China’s help in ending the conflict.

Trump’s Warning To China

At the time when the US fighter jet was downed, Trump said it was struck by a shoulder-launched missile known as a MANPAD (man-portable air defence weapons). These are small, portable missiles that can be carried on a person’s shoulder and fired at low-flying aircraft. They are about 7 feet long and weigh around 40 pounds (18.7 kg).

Last month, Trump warned China of serious consequences following reports that Beijing is preparing to supply weapons to Iran, including MANPADs. “Well, if China does that, China is going to have big problems, okay?" he said.

The two-man crew of the F-15 jet safely ejected from the aircraft over Iran. The pilot was rescued within seven hours, but it took two days to locate and rescue the weapons system office, who hid in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains to evade Iranian officials, according to the Pentagon.

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The Trump administration helped arrange a ceasefire with Iran before a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. While the US insisted that China had an important role in ending the war, it also insisted that Trump was not relying on Xi for help.

Earlier this month, Trump told Fox News that Xi personally assured him that China was not sending weapons to Iran. “President Xi has promised me that he’s not sending any weapons to Iran. That’s a beautiful promise. I take him at his word," he said.

What’s The Latest On US-Iran War?

The war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in ⁠Iran and ​Lebanon, and caused global economic pain ​by pushing up energy prices due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of ​Hormuz.

US and Israeli officials said a tentative agreement has been struck to end the war, which was awaiting final approval from Trump. The US president on Friday said he would meet in a secure ​White House room ​to make a “final ⁠determination" on the proposal, which would extend an early-April truce for ​another 60 days.

However, both the US and Iran have exchanged fiery statements about a possible resumption of the war. US officials said Trump was ready to launch strikes if the talks failed, while Iran also said it was prepared for such a possibility.

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