Evening Wire: U.S. Fighter Jet Down & March Job Numbers Surprise | 4.3.26

This Evening Wire episode covers a range of developments on April 3, including a U.S. fighter jet downed over Iran amid rising tensions, strong March jobs data complicating Federal Reserve decisions, personnel changes at the Pentagon and Justice Department, and lighter updates on space, media, and culture.

U.S. Military Jet Incidents Near Iran

Iranian state media reported that the Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a U.S. F-15 fighter jet over southern Tehran province early on April 3. U.S. officials confirmed the incident, launching a major search and rescue operation with "large forces" activated, per Israeli journalist Amit Segal. At least one pilot was recovered, while the search for the second continues; Iranian media published photos of jet parts and urged residents to capture pilots for a reward. Separately, a U.S. A-10 Warthog went down near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time, but its lone pilot was safely rescued. These events heighten concerns over U.S. operations in the region as conflict unfolds.