Sky News presenter Jonathan Samuels halted the regular broadcast to bring some breaking news that will come as a blow to US President Donald Trump. “A little bit of breaking news coming out of the Middle East,” he said. “[We’re] hearing in the last few moments from the Reuters News Agency that Iran has rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire. That’s according to an unnamed source speaking to the Reuters News Agency. Iran, rejecting a US proposal, apparently,” he said as he assured viewers the channel would keep them up to date with any further developments.
Trump subsequently told NBC News that the jet being shot down doesn’t affect negotiations, but refused to discuss the ongoing search and rescue mission.
Asked if today’s events will affect any negotiations with Iran, he said: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in a war.”
The President’s national security team is continuing to brief him regarding search operations for the F-15 in Iran, a White House official said.
They said the President has been working in the Oval Office and the adjacent Oval dining room since the news broke this morning, receiving regular updates on the situation.
US special forces have entered Iran to rescue the second crew member of the downed jet. Tehran shot down the aircraft over its airspace, marking the first fighter jet destroyed by enemy fire since the war began just over a month ago.
Two crew members reportedly ejected, one of whom was rescued by two US military helicopters and low-flying refuelling aircraft, which Iran also targeted.
Both of them were hit, and one was seen with smoke pouring out of it as it flew back to Iraqi territory, where it landed safely, officials confirmed.
