The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning, as risks of snow and freezing weather hits the UK – with threats of travel disruption
Emma O’Neill Content Editor
07:38, 11 Mar 2026
Strong winds and snow are expected to sweep across parts of the UK in the coming days, with forecasters warning that travel disruption is possible.
A yellow weather warning is currently in place for parts of Scotland as strengthening winds develop across the country. The Met Office alert covers northern and western Scotland on Wednesday, where gusts could reach up to 80mph (130km/h) in exposed locations.
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The warning remains in force until 12pm GMT, with widespread gusts of 65-70mph (105-110km/h) expected across the affected areas. Forecasters say there is also a small chance that some locations could briefly see winds hitting the 80mph mark.
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The strongest winds are forecast to arrive first across the Outer and Inner Hebrides before spreading eastwards. Northern mainland Scotland and Orkney are also expected to experience the strongest gusts later in the day.
As the winds intensify, there is a risk of disruption to travel across the affected areas. The Met Office has warned that ferry services could be cancelled, flights may be delayed and bridges could impose restrictions on high-sided vehicles as the gusty conditions develop.
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Despite the strong winds, much of the UK will see dry and bright weather on Wednesday. Scotland will see more unsettled conditions, with frequent showers moving through during the day.
By Thursday the worst of the winds across western Scotland are expected to ease, but blustery conditions will become more widespread across the rest of the UK.
Large parts of the country are likely to experience gusts between 40 and 50mph (65-80km/h). Winds could reach around 60mph (97km/h) along western coasts of England and Wales, while northern and western Scotland could still see gusts up to around 65mph (105km/h).
The unsettled weather is being driven by a deepening area of low pressure positioned between Scotland and Iceland. The system is generating strong westerly winds, gales and occasionally severe gales as it moves across the region.
Forecasters are also monitoring conditions heading into the weekend as another deep area of low pressure is expected to pass to the south of Iceland. Strong winds on the southern flank of that system could once again bring blustery conditions to the UK.
From Friday, a northwesterly wind is expected to begin pulling colder air down from the Arctic region.
As a result, temperatures are forecast to fall to around three or four degrees below average. Combined with the strong winds, conditions could feel significantly colder across much of the country.
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Fast-moving hail showers could develop in many areas, and brief flurries of wet snow are possible almost anywhere, including parts of southern England.
However, forecasters say snow in southern areas is unlikely to settle.
Any significant accumulation is expected to be confined mainly to the mountains and higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Some snowfall could also occur on higher ground in Wales and south-west England.
Further wintry showers are also possible later in the weekend, with forecasters warning that conditions on Sunday could remain unsettled.
The war in the Middle East has disrupted the world’s supply of helium. Qatar produces about a third of global helium, but attacks on its gas infrastructure have forced production to stop.
At the same time, Iran is blocking the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, through which Qatar exports both natural gas and helium. Losing 30% of global helium could have major consequences for science, medicine and industry.
Helium is used to cool the superconducting magnets used in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanners, which help diagnose conditions through high-resolution, 3D imaging of human tissues.
Superconducting magnets enable the sustained, intense currents needed for high resolution imaging. A superconductor is a material that conducts electricity with zero resistance (defined as the opposition to current flow in a material).
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In order to do this, however, the magnets need to operate at extremely low temperatures.
Helium is the ideal coolant for these magnets because it has the lowest boiling point of any element: -268.9°C. At this temperature or below, helium is liquid and can be used to bathe the magnetic coils used by MRI scanners.
Some particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider at Cern in Geneva, also use liquid helium to cool their superconducting magnets. These magnets are used to bend and control proton beams.
The processors in quantum computers need to be cooled to similarly low temperatures in order to operate and, here too, helium is the coolant of choice.
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A versatile element
Helium is used in computer chip production to displace oxygen and moisture within fabrication facilities, where conditions are tightly controlled to avoid contaminating delicate microprocessors.
The element is also used as a coolant during high-temperature stages of chip production. These include the etching process, where unwanted material is removed from semiconductor wafers – the substrates on which circuits are assembled.
Helium is used in the production of silicon wafers, a vital component of computer chip manufacturing. Metamorworks / Shutterstock
In space rockets, the non-flammable gas is used to flush out fuel lines and to pressurise fuel tanks.
Welding and fibre optic production requires helium to create inert, controlled environments.
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Helium’s value comes from physical properties that are very difficult to substitute. In addition to its low boiling point, which makes it an excellent coolant, helium is inert and extremely light.
Its tiny molecules make it ideal for detecting the smallest leaks in pipelines and equipment.
Despite being the second most abundant element in the universe, helium is extremely rare on Earth. It forms underground over billions of years from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium.
Because it is lighter than air, it escapes easily into the atmosphere and eventually into space, making it effectively non-renewable.
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Manufacturing helium
Unlike most resources, helium is rarely produced on its own. In Qatar and other countries, helium is produced as a by-product of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production.
That means the supply of helium depends entirely on the production of natural gas: when gas production drops, so does helium output.
This is exactly what has happened in Qatar, where attacks on gas facilities have suspended both gas and helium production.
Qatar’s helium is produced by its Ras Laffan facility –the largest liquefied natural gas plant in the world. Hannibal Hanschke / EPA Images
Exporting helium is not simple. It requires highly specialised cryogenic containers to keep it extremely cold during transport. These shipments must pass through narrow trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, making the supply chain vulnerable to political conflict.
The specialised containers are insulated, but not refrigerated. This means that, due to the physical properties of helium, the element will escape from the containers over time.
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Other countries have tried to develop helium production to reduce reliance on Qatar. Iran has worked to extract helium from its South Pars Gas Field, but sanctions have made this difficult. China, meanwhile, has been building the infrastructure to make its own helium and is prospecting for new reserves to diversify supply.
The US has the world’s largest helium reserves, stored in Amarillo, Texas. Originally established in 1925 to supply the airship industry, the reserve became a global strategic buffer that helped stabilise prices.
In recent decades, however, the US sold off much of the stockpile under the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, reducing this safety net.
With semiconductor supply chains threatened, there is a risk that helium shortages could act as a constraint on the AI revolution. Taiwan, the global leader in chipmaking, has said that its stocks of helium are stable due to a diverse supply. South Korean officials, however, have said that the country’s supplies will run out until June.
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Adapting to pressure
However, there are ways that countries could adapt to a squeeze in global helium stocks.
Stockpiling: keeping reserves of helium for critical applications.
Substitution: limiting helium use to applications where its unique properties are essential.
Recycling: recovering helium from industrial or scientific processes, though this is difficult because helium easily escapes containment.
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Diversification: Expanding production in multiple countries and exploring new reserves, as China is currently doing.
These measures could help alleviate future fluctuations in helium supply. But none are quick fixes. That’s why the disruption to supplies caused by the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is being felt around the world.
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Scorpio Moon links aligns with Mercury in Pisces, adding a certain depth to emotions. Allow yourself to feel it all today, even if that’s uncomfortable.
Aries, Gemini and Leo, it’s all about decision-making. Tap into what the cosmos is telling you, and take a leap of faith.
The day ahead will be full of nuance, so read between the lines and question rationality and logic. Your heart has the answers.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday April 4, 2026
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Today you’ll be doing detective work for the soul. With the Moon in Scorpio aligning with Mercury in Pisces, emotions run deep while the details swim in less turbulent waters. Not all you hear is based on solid statistics, yet not everything is illusion either. Read between the lines. Truth may arrive gently, but once it does it empowers you to act wisely and decisively.
What begins as casual small talk could be deeply moving, even revealing. Listen carefully, as someone may share a truth that you could easily miss. Your steady presence encourages openness. Yet this is not about gossip, it’s about connection and discovery. A partnership may change gently as understanding deepens. Trust your intuition yet be open and caring too.
As the Moon deep in Scorpio connects with Mercury in Pisces, your creative vision gains emotional depth and savvy nuance. You are not just dreaming, you are designing. Inspiration feels intense, almost urgent, yet the way forward arrives through quiet planning. Talks behind the scenes could sharpen your approach. Sketch the outline before unveiling the masterpiece.
Something you see or experience on a trip resonates far deeper than expected. A landscape, a conversation or even a piece of art may stir an old memory or awaken a new longing. Pay attention to what moves you quietly. This is not random, as you may discover a truth about your path or purpose. Allow instinct to guide perception and the journey can be so enjoyable.
You may have hesitated concerning a decision long enough, so choose. Even if you refine or revise it later, forward motion matters more than perfect certainty. Trust your instincts, then act with conviction. This is about momentum, not analysis paralysis. A firm step today clears emotional fog and restores confidence. You can always adjust the script as the story unfolds.
You may need to point out a truth someone would rather leave in shadow. Choose timing and tone carefully, as this is not about being right, it’s about being helpful. You are offering insight, not criticism. If resistance appears, stay steady. When you balance honesty with kindness, even uncomfortable revelations can strengthen trust and deepen understanding.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Today you’ll see clearly where financial arrangements feel fuzzy or imbalanced. Do not let polite silence cost you. If you are undercharging or being underpaid, it is time for a calm, firm conversation. Trust your instincts about what your work is worth. Spell it out kindly but very confidently. Vague agreements tend to slide downhill. Solid ones stand tall and boost morale.
With the Moon in your sign aligning with conversational Mercury, emotions run deep and words carry healing potential. You’ll sense that avoiding the truth now would only hurt someone later. Choose courage, as being kind does not mean being vague. Your insight is sharp, but your delivery must be very gentle. Know that sincerity builds trust, even if it stings at first.
Something at home or within your private world may need a clear decision. You could let it slide, and hope it sorts itself out and keep smiling. Yet you know that choosing the right course now prevents deeper complications later. It’s about maturity, so speak gently but act firmly. Doing the right thing may feel uncomfortable at first, but it restores peace in the long run.
A discerning friend can offer insight that cuts through confusion with surprising ease. You value practicality, but today your sixth sense is important too. Do not dismiss advice because it seems irrational. Someone sees what you may be too immersed in to notice. You don’t have to surrender control. A key conversation could shift your strategy and boost your mood.
Financial insight deepens and long-term ambitions sharpen. You’re not thinking small, you’re strategic. A big goal requires hope and a plan that lets your resources work quietly in the background. Review investments, refine budgets and trust your instincts. Advice may come from an unexpected source. This is not about restriction, it’s about empowerment.
The Scorpio Moon links arms with Mercury in your sign, so emotions run deep and insight is sharp. You sense it is time to choose rather than drift. A decision may feel daunting if it urges you beyond familiar waters. Yet growth rarely happens in the shallows, so trust your inner nudge, then commit. You can adjust course later. What matters now is movement.
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Liverpool, meanwhile, suffered a setback in their quest for a top-four Premier League finish by losing to Brighton last time out, but can still have a special end to the season with this competition and the Champions League.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Man City vs Liverpool is scheduled for a 12.45pm BST kick-off on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The match will take place at Etihad Stadium.
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Where to watch Man City vs Liverpool
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 11.30am BST on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the HBO Max app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
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Man City vs Liverpool team news
Man City are sweating on the fitness of Ruben Dias and John Stones ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final showdown.
Liverpool will be boosted by the returns of Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak for the trip to Manchester, though the latter is not ready to start.
Alisson Becker is sidelined, but Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Chiesa should be fit. Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni are all long-term absentees.
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Double boost: Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak
AFP via Getty Images
Man City vs Liverpool prediction
Prior to beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, Man City had won just once in five games in all competitions – that being in the last round of the FA Cup – so Guardiola’s side aren’t exactly in flying form.
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That said, Liverpool have equally been a mixed bag aside from the 4-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 second leg and the Wolves cup tie.
It is a difficult one to call as both teams will be eyeing a trophy. We think home advantage tips things in Man City’s favour, but only just.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Reds, though, did emerge victorious in the most recent FA Cup clash between the teams back in April 2022.
Royal Mail urges dog owners to display sign on doors or windows – Daily Record
Need to know
Royal Mail has urged some people to display a four-word sign to help staff deliver their letters and parcels
Acting now can help protect your local postie(Image: martinrlee via Getty Images)
Need to know: Royal Mail urges dog owners to display a warning sign to protect postal workers
Royal Mail has urged dog owners to display a simple four-word sign reading “I have a dog” to protect postal workers from attacks. If you do not take care to protect workers, it could result in suspended deliveries.
New statistics reveal dog attacks on postal workers rose by 2% last year, totalling 2,197 incidents – roughly 42 attacks weekly across the country. Some delivery staff have suffered permanent or life-altering injuries from these attacks.
You don’t have to put the sign up, but it can help. The printable notice allows postal workers to wait while owners secure their pets in a separate room before coming to the door. Royal Mail warned customers: “Around 2,000 posties like me are injured by dogs each year, both big and small.”
Sheffield topped the list of most dangerous areas with 66 attacks – a shocking 61% increase from the previous year. Portsmouth came second with 60 attacks, while Kent/Sussex/Surrey recorded 56 incidents.
Lizz Lloyd, Health & Safety Director at Royal Mail, said: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers. In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, emotional distress, and time away from work. Royal Mail continues to call on the public to be vigilant and responsible by securing their pets before opening the door to receive mail or packages.
With Easter approaching and more deliveries expected for some households, Royal Mail is urging action to prevent attacks that force police involvement and delivery suspensions.
Royal Mail urges customers to act or risk delivery suspension – The Mirror
Need to know
Royal Mail has issued some advice to customers, urging them to take action now to avoid delivery suspension, and a a four-word sign could help
Bradley Jolly Overnight News Editor and Sophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer
00:02, 04 Apr 2026
The sign could make a huge difference(Image: coldsnowstorm via Getty Images)
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Need to know: Royal Mail urges dog owners to display warning signs as attacks on postal workers rise
Royal Mail is urging dog owners to display a simple four-word sign reading “I have a dog” to protect postal workers from attacks.
The warning comes as new figures reveal dog attacks on postal workers increased by 2% over the past year, reaching 2,197 incidents nationwide. This equates to approximately 42 attacks each week, with some delivery staff sustaining permanent or life-changing injuries.
The service has warned customers that failing to take appropriate measures could result in deliveries to their address being suspended. Royal Mail acknowledged that while “receiving your letters and parcels” is important, its priority is “to get these items to you safely.” This does not mean you have to display the sign, but it could help some.
Sheffield topped the list of high-risk areas with 66 attacks recorded in 2024/25, representing a worrying 61% rise. Portsmouth and Kent/Sussex/Surrey also featured prominently in the dangerous postcode areas.
The letter revealed a troubling statistic: “Around 2,000 posties like me are injured by dogs each year, both big and small. When this happens, we must inform the Police and suspend deliveries to your address, as we can’t take the chance that the dog may attack again.”
Lizz Lloyd, Health and Safety Director at Royal Mail, said: “Dog attacks remain one of the most significant safety risks faced by postal workers.” She emphasised that community cooperation is essential to reducing these incidents.
WASHINGTON (AP) — American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%.
The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a turnaround from the loss of 133,000 jobs in February. The job gains were about three times what economists had forecast. But uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran — and its impact on energy prices — is clouding the outlook for the labor market.
The unemployment rate was down from 4.4% in February. That is partly because the labor force — those working and looking for work — dropped by 396,000 in March so fewer people were competing for jobs. In fact, the percentage of people in the labor force dropped to 61.9% last month, the lowest since November 2021.
Health care companies added 76,400 jobs last month, boosted by the return of 31,000 Kaiser Permanente employees to work after the end of a strike in February. Factories added 15,000 jobs last month but have still shed jobs for 14 of the last 16 months. Construction companies added 26,000 jobs, probably partly because of warmer weather last month.
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AP AUDIO: US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February
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AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on the latest unemployment numbers.
Average hourly wages were up 0.2% from February. Compared to March 2025, they were up 3.5% — the smallest gain since May 2021 and one consistent with the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual inflation target.
Labor Department revisions shaved 7,000 jobs off combined January and February payrolls.
The U.S. job market has been in a slump over the past year. Most economists say the impact of the war and higher energy prices was probably not fully reflected in the March jobs numbers.
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“The data is mostly backward-looking, and likely does not incorporate any impact from the recent rise in energy prices, or other risks related to the war in Iran,’’ Thomas Simons, chief U.S. economist with the investment firm Jefferies, wrote in a commentary.
Diane Swonk, chief economist at the accounting firm KPMG, said that the economy is getting a lift from big tax refunds made possible by President Donald Trump’s 2025 tax cuts. “But those are now being eaten up by higher energy costs,’’ she said.
Last year, employers added an average of just 9,700 jobs a month, the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002. Businesses have been reluctant to bring on new workers partly because of uncertainty arising from President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports and crackdown on immigration. One measure released by the Labor Department on Monday showed the weakest hiring since April 2020 – in the middle of COVID-19 lockdowns.
But firms have also been reluctant to let go of their existing employees, creating what economists describe as a “no-hire, no-fire’’ scenario that locks young applicants out of the job market. At the same time, there are growing worries that artificial intelligence is taking entry-level jobs.
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New jobs are heavily concentrated in health care and social assistance (which includes day care and vocational rehabilitation centers). That combined category accounted for more than half the jobs created last month. The trend reflects an aging U.S. population. A graying Japan saw the same thing in the early 2010s, Vanguard economist Adam Schickling wrote in a commentary ahead of Friday’s jobs report.
“The larger-than-expected rebound in nonfarm payrolls in March mainly reflects a reversal of the strike and weather effects that weighed on hiring in February, rather than being a sign that the labor market is rapidly gaining momentum,” said Stephen Brown, chief North America economist at Capital Economics. Citing higher oil prices, he warned of the risk that “the hit to consumers’ purchasing power will weigh on demand and therefore hiring in the near term.’’
March’s unexpectedly strong hiring is likely to ease pressure on the Fed policymakers to cut interest rates right away to help the job market, giving them time to assess what impact higher energy prices are having on overall inflation.
Worries about the fallout from the war are likely to limit job gains for awhile. “It’s the nature of uncertainties,’’ said Olu Sonola, U.S. head of research at Fitch Ratings. “Companies typically respond by holding back’’ on hiring decisions.
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A lot will depend on how long the conflict lasts and what happens to oil prices. The price of benchmark American crude oil closed just below $112 a barrel Thursday. “If that’s $140 next month,″ Sonola said, “God knows what’s going to happen.’’
Mai Truong is the founder of Bo & Mei, which makes games and puzzles designed to celebrate Asian heritage. She’s currently preparing for this year’s holiday shopping season and assessing her hiring plans — but she’s facing lots of unknowns.
The Brooklyn, New York-based company, which had sales of under $500,000 last year, had to pay tens of thousands of dollars in tariffs last year. Truong is not sure what her tariff bill will be this year and whether she will be able to get a refund after the Supreme Court struck down some of Trump’s tariffs. The Iran war is also creating unforeseen costs including higher shipping expenses.
Truong is her company’s only full-time employee. But she typically hires a couple of contractors, who work in operations, marketing and other areas, to help in the months heading to Christmas.
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“It makes everything feel very uncertain,” she said. “On the other hand, there’s so little you can do with the volatility. You just have to stay the course and kind of deal with the variables as they become more clear.”
The World Cup winner was informed by the Chelsea head coach on Friday morning that he has been dropped for upcoming games against Port Vale, in the FA Cup on Saturday, and Manchester City, in the Premier League next Sunday, as a punishment for bombshell comments made during the international break.
HMRC has outlined key tax rules for state pension payments after a query about deductions
HMRC has clarified the tax rules surrounding state pension payments, following an enquiry about deductions applied to those payments.
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A state pensioner contacted the tax authority through social media with a question, asking: “Where can I find a monthly statement of my state pension showing the payment and deductions?” With upcoming changes on the horizon, now is an opportune moment to review your state pension arrangements.
The state pension is set to rise by 4.8 per cent from April, boosting the full new state pension from £230.25 per week to £241.30 per week. In response to the query, HMRC outlined the key rules to bear in mind, telling the taxpayer: “State pension is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and no tax is deducted at source.
“Your pension payments do appear only on your bank statements – DWP pays the same amount every four weeks.”
This means those receiving the full new state pension will receive £965.20 each payment period under the new rates, reports the Mirror. Those on the full basic state pension will receive £184.90 per week, or £739.60 every four-week payment period, with payments typically issued in arrears.
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The day your state pension is paid depends on the final two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number.
Those preparing for retirement should also take note of another significant change coming into effect from April 2026, when the state pension age will begin rising from 66, gradually increasing to reach 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.
Laws have also been passed to implement a further increase to 68, set to take place between 2044 and 2046. You can check your projected state pension entitlement by using the forecast tool available on the Government website.
The decision was made in a Westhoughton Town Council meeting on March 30, as members expressed confusion over some aspects of the scheme, including a planned £70m for a new link road.
Councillors also wanted to know what made the Metro Mayor so confident the Ryder Cup was going to come to Bolton, despite the number of other – already completed – golf courses vying for the same rights.
Cllr Arthur Price and Cllr Neil Maher at the plot of land in Westhoughton (Image: MyWesthoughton)
Cllr Arthur Price said: “We couldn’t have a crossing on Manchester Road because there was no money, but now Peel want a golf course they’ve managed to find £70m.
“I want to see confirmation that we have actually been shortlisted for the Ryder Cup – do they have it in writing?
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“How is he guaranteeing £70m for something nobody knows anything about?
“It will never happen, it’s just a red herring.”
Councillors also expressed concern that, despite previous indications that a plan for the Ryder Cup golf course would be submitted in January, nothing no plans have yet been made public.
Cllr David Wilkinson said: “As far as I’m concerned, the golf course plans are dead in the water until Peel submit something.
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The road is long and straight, which increases the likelihood of speeding, according to Cllr Price (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“And why should the taxpayer fund £70m for a road for Peel which hasn’t been confirmed?
“We need to speak to the mayor to ask him what he was doing when he backed the plans.
“If the new roads and trains he has promised for the Ryder Cup are good enough for those three days, why aren’t they good enough for the people who currently use those lines to commute?”
On the topic of Westhoughton’s rail lines, town councillor Jack Speight said: “We’d need to upgrade the line first, it’s not even electrified.
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“Where is that money going to come from?”
The impact of the Ryder Cup on Westhoughton’s roads and amenities was also discussed, alongside the potential impact of the Platt Lane Development and the Lee Hall development.
(Image: NQ)
Cllr Martin Tighe said: “Park Avenue, near the development, is an avenue in the truest sense of the word.
“There’s nothing in the plans about widening it – it’ll cause more congestion in what is already one of the most congested areas.”
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Tighe also expressed concern that the new course would harm the golf courses that already exist in the area, Westhoughton Golf Course being one.
Westhoughton Mayor Gillian Wroe, alongside the councillors, decided to write to Mr Burnham to invite him to a meeting during which they could discuss the plans.
The US suffered several attacks to its aircraft on Friday after Iran struck two of its military combat jets and hit two of its helicopters.
Search-and-rescue efforts are said to be ongoing as the US scrambles to locate a missing pilot in Iran.
An F-15E Strike Eagle carrying two crew members was downed over Iran on Friday. US officials said they ejected before the aircraft went down.
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One pilot has been rescued, while the other is still missing. Iran is hoping to find the crew member before the US does, reportedly offering citizens around £50,000 to anyone who hands over the “criminal American pilot” alive.
Following this attack, an A-10 Thunderbolt deployed to support the search and rescue mission was also struck.
The pilot managed to navigate the damaged plane to Kuwaiti airspace before ejecting and being rescued, officials have said.
Iran then hit two Blackhawk helicopters, which were also involved in the rescue mission. Officials have said personnel on board sustained minor injuries, but are safe.
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Donald Trump (Getty Images)
What has Donald Trump said?
The US president is yet to publicly comment on the attacks, but told The Independent he isn’t yet ready to say what the US will do if the missing crew member is harmed.
Asked what he’d do if the pilot is captured or harmed by Iranians, Trump replied: “Well, I can’t comment on it because — we hope that’s not going to happen,” and ended the call shortly thereafter.
He also told NBC that the downing of the fighter jet would not affect negotiations over ending the war in Iran.
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“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war,” he said.
In a vague post on social media made after the attack, the US president wrote: “KEEP THE OIL, ANYONE?”
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 23:14
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UN personnel injured in Hezbollah rocket attack, Israel says
Three UN personnel were wounded after Hezbollah carried out a rocket attack, which struck a UNIFIL outpost in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defence Force said.
According to the IDF, two of the people were “severely” injured.
UNIFIL was created by the Security Council in 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and restore international peace and security. It has served as a buffer between the two countries.
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 22:49
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Recap: Iranian citizens offered reward of £50,000 to hand over American F-15 pilot alive
Residents in Iran have been offered a reward if they hand over any “enemy pilot” to police following the downing of a US F-15 fighter jet.
Iranian state news issued pleas for citizens to search for and capture the pilot and hand them over to police alive.
Outlets have reported that the governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province promised a reward of 10 billion tomans (around £50,000) for anyone who hands over the “criminal American pilot”.
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Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 22:43
Trump after US jet downed: ‘KEEP THE OIL, ANYONE?’
Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to make his first public comments after an F-15 fighter jet was downed in Iran on Friday.
“KEEP THE OIL, ANYONE?”, the US president wrote.
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It follows a post from Trump earlier in the day, in which he said that “with a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD???”
The US president is yet to issue a public statement about the attack on Friday. A search-and-rescue operation is underway to locate a missing crew member.
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 22:24
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Trump won’t say what US will do if missing pilot in Iran is harmed: ‘We hope that’s not going to happen’
The Independent’s White House Correspondent Andrew Feinberg spoke to Donald Trump as search-and-rescue efforts continue after the shooting-down of an American fighter over Iran:
As American and Israeli forces search for a F-15 aircrew member forced to eject after being shot down over Iran, President Donald Trump isn’t yet ready to say what the U.S. will do if the missing crew member is harmed.
In a brief Friday phone interview with The Independent, the president said he could not comment on what his course of action might be if Iranian forces get to the downed airman, the first American aviator to be shot down over enemy territory since an A-10 “Warthog” pilot ejected into Iraq after being struck by a surface-to-air missile in April 2003, just weeks into Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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“We hope that’s not going to happen,” said the president, who ended the call shortly thereafter.
Trump’s expression of optimism regarding the fate of the missing Air Force officer came as Combat Search and Rescue forces from Israel and the United States were searching for the crew member, hours after they were forced to eject from their two-person fighter over Iranian territory.
The downed F-15 is the fourth American fighter aircraft — and the sixth military plane — lost since Trump started the massive air campaign against Tehran on February 28. Of those six, it is the only one so far to have been downed by enemy fire.
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 21:52
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Second US plane struck by Iran
Iran struck a second US airforce plane on Friday in the Persian Gulf region and hit two US helicopters in a search-and-rescue effort.
US officials said an A-10 attack plane was also hit by incoming fire, and the pilot navigated the damaged plane to Kuwaiti airspace before ejecting and being subsequently rescued, The Washington Post reported.
According to the officials, two US Black Hawk helicopters were also were hit by Iranian fire, which injured personnel on board. Both aircraft are reported to have returned safely to their base.
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The helicopters were reportedly involved in a search-and-rescue effort after a F-15 fighter jet was downed in Iran. So far, one pilot on the fighter jet has been rescued, while the other is still missing.
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 21:46
Trump says downing of US jet won’t affect talks with Iran
Donald Trump said that the downing of the F-15 fighter jet would not affect negotiations over ending the war in Iran.
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Speaking to NBC, the US reportedly refused to discuss the specifics of ongoing search and rescue efforts in Iran, but expressed frustration about some of the coverage of what is plainly an intense and sensitive rescue operation.
Asked if today’s events will affect any negotiations with Iran, the president told NBC’s Garrett Haake: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war, Garrett.”
It follows reports from Iranian media that Tehran has rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire.
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 21:30
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What in God’s name is Pete Hegseth doing in Iran?
We’ve had past presidents proclaim, ‘God protect our soldiers,’ but ‘this is different in kind from anything we’ve seen before,’ one military law expert tells Brendan Rascius, while a former US ambassador calls Hegseth’s war religiosity ‘performance art’:
We’ve had past presidents proclaim, ‘God protect our soldiers,’ but ‘this is different in kind from anything we’ve seen before,’ one military law expert tells Brendan Rascius, while a former US ambassador calls Hegseth’s war religiosity ‘performance art’
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 21:20
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Trump to meet Nato chief after threatening to withdraw US from alliance
The chief of Nato is set to meet with Donald Trump on Wednesday, following criticism from the US president over the alliance’s supposed lack of help in Iran.
Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth will also attend the discussions with Mark Rutte in Washington.
It comes after the US president said he was seriously considering withdrawing the US from Nato.
He told Politico on Friday he “couldn’t care less” about Nato, saying “they were they weren’t there. I have no frustration. I couldn’t care less.
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“I didn’t need them … But if I ever did need them, they wouldn’t be there. And we had a lot of money every year in NATO, so I learned a lot. So did the country, so did the United States, and NATO is — NATO is a paper tiger.”
Donald Trump and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte (AP)
Harriette Boucher3 April 2026 21:00
Trump: Federal government can’t pay for daycare, funds are needed for war
Trump: Federal government can’t pay for daycare, funds are needed for war
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