The fate of the co-pilot of the downed US F-15E fighter jet that disappeared in Iran could determine the course of the conflict in the Middle East. This opinion was expressed by The Daily Telegraph.
According to the newspaper, if the search and rescue operation is successful, US President Donald Trump may continue the operation against Iran and possibly expand it. At the same time, if Iran publishes footage of the captured US Air Force pilot, the US Congress and the American public will actively put pressure on Trump to end military action and begin negotiations for the release of the soldier, the newspaper believes. The Daily Telegraph believes that growing political pressure could weaken the US negotiating position and lead to a peace agreement on less favorable terms. In particular, according to The Daily Telegraph, Tehran may demand a number of concessions, including the lifting of sanctions and continued control of the Strait of Hormuz. If an American soldier is killed, the newspaper writes, Trump will be forced to continue the war in the Middle East and intensify strikes against Iran.
Earlier it was reported that an American F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran. As a result of the incident, one crew member was rescued, and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and an A-10 attack aircraft, probably shot down and crashed near Kuwait, were sent to search for the second pilot. The Iranian military, in turn, is also searching for the missing pilot.