The US fighter pilot rescued by commandos after he was shot down by Iran in April has described how Iranian drones swarmed him in what appeared to be a “jellyfish” formation before he ejected from his plane, according to a report.

Iranian forces opened fire on the $31m F-15E Strike Eagle on 3 April, triggering a major search for the missing weapons-system officer, who held out in the mountains for hours before his dramatic rescue.

During a debriefing with intelligence officials, the pilot described seeing a unified and overwhelming drone formation resembling a jellyfish, sources familiar with the matter told CNN in a report published on Tuesday.

“Multiple drones interconnected and moving as one with smaller drones below the bigger drones like legs,” one of four sources familiar with the pilot’s testimony told the outlet. “Real alien s**t.”

The manoeuvre suggests a startling development in Iran’s ability to use drones en masse on the battlefield.

The cause of the F-15 downing – the first time a US aircraft had been shot down over Iran during the conflict – is still being investigated. Two of the sources told CNN that it was possible the “jellyfish” drone formation had enabled Iran to take down the all weather jet.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said on the day of the incident that it had used a new air defence system which targeted a US fighter jet, three drones and two cruise missiles.

“The enemy should know that we rely on new air-defence systems built by the young, knowledgeable, and proud people of this country, unveiling them one after another in the field,” a spokesperson said at the time.

The pilot safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters on the day, despite one of the helicopters coming under small arms fire, according to CBS, citing US officials.

Intelligence officials later debriefing the pilot disagreed on whether they could recall the incident clearly, having been concussed in the crash, according to CNN.

Following the pilot’s recovery, the US military launched a multi-pronged rescue mission to bring back the missing officer, who US officials said was trapped in Iran with only a handgun to defend himself.

The CIA reportedly engaged in a deception campaign, spreading false information that the airman had already been found and recovered, according to CBS.

US president Donald Trump announced two days later that the second airman had been recovered and was “safe and sound”. He said he had sustained injuries but was “just fine”.

Leah Stewart, 35, underwent five days of surgeries and remains in intensive care, her family has confirmed in the latest update after she was mauled on earlier this month

A mother who was left fighting for her life following a devastating shark attack has uttered her first words after being brought out of an induced coma, according to her family.

Leah Stewart, 35, was mauled by a great white shark while swimming at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on June 13.

She was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition, where surgeons performed an arm amputation and numerous operations while she remained in intensive care.

Her family has been keeping the public updated with regular bulletins from her bedside, with her brother Joshua releasing an emotional statement on Wednesday.

“After a week of life-support and repeat surgeries, doctors were able to extubate Leah and reduce her level of sedation to bring her out of the induced coma for a short period of time,” he said.

“This allowed Leah to share her first words, ‘I love you’, with her mum and partner Fernando who have been by her side in ICU since the incident.

“Her first thoughts were with her daughter August and wanted to check she was okay.

“This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week.”

Despite the encouraging developments, Ms Stewart continues to receive intensive care and faces a lengthy road to recovery, reports the Daily Mail.

“She has undergone five days of surgery over the past week, and is scheduled for further surgeries today and more through the coming weeks,” Joshua added. “Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah’s long-term recovery.

“Again thank you so much for everyone who continues to support Leah, through your care, prayer, love and generosity.”

A crowdfunding appeal established to assist with Ms Stewart’s rehabilitation, prosthetic limbs and healthcare expenses has amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars, with donations now totalling $488,000, reports the Express.

The incident occurred while Ms Stewart was taking a dip at Coogee Beach. Charlie Verco, an off-duty lifeguard who happened to be paddleboarding in the vicinity, immediately sprang into action following the attack.

He hauled her onto his board and made for the shoreline, where urgent medical intervention commenced.

She underwent numerous blood transfusions on the sand before being transported by air ambulance to St Vincent’s Hospital and placed under intensive care.

Ms Stewart, who teaches at Hurstville Adventist School, had previously been employed at Sydney Adventist School in Auburn approximately a decade earlier.

Former workmates remembered her warmly, with one associate recounting how she once spoke passionately about the television programme Australian Survivor.

“She then said she wanted to go on Survivor. Well, 10 years later, she is a survivor,” they remarked.

“She will take on the challenges and come out on top. I wish you, her, and your families nothing but the best.”

At the time of the attack, Coogee Beach was not being actively monitored by shark drones, as the area falls beneath a flight path, though authorities subsequently granted a temporary exemption to allow surveillance.

The shark responsible is thought to have measured between three and four metres in length.

An incident requiring an emergency services response has resulted in all lines being closed between the two stations.

The disruption was reported at 1:05pm today (June 23).

A spokesperson for the British Transport Police said: “We were called to Gatley station at 12.50pm today following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Officers attended along with paramedics but sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

According to National Rail, trains running between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport may be cancelled, severely delayed or diverted, with major disruption expected until 3pm.

Passengers can use their tickets at no extra cost on TransPennine Express services via any reasonable route, as well as on Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales services between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe.

Tickets are also being accepted on Bee Network services, including Metrolink tram services via any reasonable route and Bee Network bus services 43, 50, 103, 248, 313 and 368.

National Rail said Northern train ticket restrictions , including Advance and Peak restrictions, have been lifted in affected areas during the disruption and will be reinstated once it ends.

Replacement road transport has been arranged.

A service departing Manchester Piccadilly at 1:45pm is scheduled to call at Mauldeth Road, Burnage, East Didsbury, Gatley, Heald Green and Manchester Airport.

Further services are due to operate from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly at 2:20pm and 3pm, and from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport at 3:30pm.

Passengers are advised to check station information posters for bus pick-up locations.

🎥 #ManchesterAirport – The visual disruption map video has been updated #DisruptionVideos

ℹ️ Full video can be found here: https://t.co/sbSt6BTQVM pic.twitter.com/oxOsqeFq3i

— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) June 23, 2026

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Journey times may be extended by up to 60 minutes while travelling by road.

National Rail has advised passengers to check their journeys before travelling, as other train operators may also be affected by the disruption.

Passengers delayed while travelling may be entitled to compensation and are advised to keep their train tickets and make a note of their journey details to support any claim.

The Samaritans provide free, confidential emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can contact them by calling 116 123 (free from any phone in the UK and Ireland).

More information is available at: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, has reportedly made it known to NFL bosses that he wants to hold a game in Scotland.

The Tartan Army has been inundated with praise from Bostonians for bringing the joy back to the city with their two-week takeover of the city. The city is now officially twinned with Glasgow, and Mayor Michelle Wu even admitted putting a traffic cone atop a statue in honour of the Scotland fans’ antics.

The Tartan Army’s impact on Boston, and the wider area, has been keenly felt in recent days. And now it seems like one of the biggest names in the region wants to repay the favour over in Scotland.

The New England Patriots’ owner has reportedly spoken to NFL chiefs about playing an NFL match in Scotland. According to the Boston Globe, a conversation has been held between Pats owner Robert Kraft and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that the Patriots would be interested in playing a game in Scotland.

Thousands of Scots took over the city for a fortnight to see Steve Clarke’s men take on Haiti and Morocco at the nearby Gillette Stadium, the home of the Patriots.

The chat has come after the Tartan Army won over the Massachusetts capital with their kilts, bagpipes, and incredible feat of drinking parts of the city dry of beer. It’s reported that due to this newfound bond, Kraft who played an instrumental role in bringing the World Cup to North America, has now planted the seed for his team to play in what would be Scotland’s first NFL game.

Although Scotland has never hosted an NFL match, it used to be home to American football side, the Scottish Claymores. The franchise played in the World League of American Football between 1995 and 2004 and hosted many home games at Murrayfield Stadium and Hampden Park.

Several NFL games are played internationally every year, with the most ever in a single season of nine due to be played during 2026. Games are set to be played in Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany – where the Patriots take on the Detroit Lions – and Spain, with the number increasing to 10, possibly 11, in 2027.

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Speaking about world expansion in February ahead of the Super Bowl, Goodell, who insisted 90 per cent of the crowds at international games are fans from the host country, said: “That’s an important mark to shoot for and I think we’re on our way.

“It’s the ambition we have to be a global sport, but it’s also the demand we’re having. We’re hearing from cities that want to host these games and really want to get more American football.”

Currently, the number of international games is capped at 10 under the CBA agreement, however the Jacksonville Jaguars are set to play two games in London this year which brings the total to 11.

Goodell has previously spoken about how he wants 16 international games per year, meaning it’s not out of the question to have a game in Scotland.

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The vote marks the first time that both chambers of Congress have approved a concurrent resolution instructing a president to end a military action since the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted.

A concurrent resolution expresses the sentiment or will of Congress, as opposed to other forms of legislation that go to the president to be signed into law. In 2019, Trump vetoed a joint resolution that called for the removal of armed forces from hostilities in the Yemeni civil war.

Middle East analyst Laura Blumenfeld called it “more of a slap on a wrist than a handcuff, because it has no legal binding”.

But she told the BBC she thought what “it does reflect is the American people’s sentiments”.

The concurrent resolution’s passage is significant because it adds to pressure on the White House to find an end to the Iran war, which is unpopular with the public after petrol prices spiked.

The same measure was passed earlier this month by the US House of Representatives, where four Republicans joined every Democrat to approve it in a 215-208 vote.

But a White House official told the BBC that with the ceasefire agreed on 7 April, there are no hostilities from which to withdraw American forces.

The official also said the measure only passed because two Republican senators were absent: Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick.

Four Republican senators voted with Democrats in support of the resolution: Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman was the only member of his party to vote against it.

It was the latest sign of division among Trump’s fellow Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November, which will determine whether the party can hold on to its slender majorities in both chambers of Congress.

Some Republicans have resisted the president recently, including by rejecting his plans to create a $1.8 bn (£1.3bn) “anti-weaponisation” fund and approving Ukraine aid.

Tuesday’s vote was the 10th time that Senate Democrats have forced a war powers vote since the start of the war.

It came the same day as the Pentagon asked Congress for some $80bn, most of which is to pay for the war with Iran.

Federal law requires congressional approval to continue military actions for more than 60 days. The US-Israel strikes on Iran began on 28 February, although the Trump administration has argued April’s ceasefire reset the clock.

The White House can also extend the deadline for another 30 days, citing national security.

Currently, the US and Iran have agreed to continue a ceasefire and are working towards an end of hostilities under a memorandum of understanding that was signed by the presidents of both countries last week.

Under that memo, Washington and Tehran have 60 days to negotiate a broader agreement on ending Iran’s nuclear programme.