U.S. F-15 shot down over Iran on April 3; one crew member rescued and Trump briefed as Bitcoin slides from its October 2025 all-time high

A U.S. fighter jet identified as an F-15 was shot down over Iran on April 3, according to sources cited by CNN. One crew member was rescued, and President Trump was briefed, adding another escalation to a conflict that has already pushed Bitcoin down more than 40% from its October 2025 all-time high.

Incident over Iran and White House briefing

Iranian state media published images of the downed aircraft, which CNN analysis matched to an F-15. The White House press secretary confirmed that “President Trump has been briefed,” with live coverage updated at 1:12 p.m. EDT.

Crypto markets absorb the shock

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was trading near $67,000, down modestly on the day. The incident adds a new variable to an already fragile macro backdrop for crypto.

Bitcoin has repeatedly tested the $65,000–$67,000 range as a support zone during periods of heightened U.S.–Iran tension. The article notes that sharper downside has tended to appear during moments of genuine escalation, when initial U.S. strikes sent BTC briefly to $63,000 before markets stabilized.

Oil, inflation risk, and rate expectations

The incident falls on Good Friday, with traditional U.S. equity markets closed for the Easter holiday. Oil is already trading above $100 per barrel amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz closure, and the article says oil could spike sharply when Asian markets open overnight.

A sustained move higher in oil would intensify inflation concerns and further reduce the Federal Reserve’s room to cut rates—an environment described as a dominant headwind for crypto since the conflict began.

Trump’s Hormuz signal and market implications

In a separate post on X, President Trump suggested the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened “with a little more time.” Investors interpreted the comment as leaving space for a negotiated resolution even as military operations continue.

The article also notes that on April 2, Trump addressed the nation from the White House, describing U.S. forces as nearing the “final stages” of the campaign while warning of continued strikes over the following weeks. It says the combination of active military pressure and diplomatic signaling has kept markets in an uncertain holding pattern.

For Bitcoin, the article identifies credible de-escalation—particularly one that restores Hormuz shipping and brings oil back below $100—as the single most significant potential catalyst for a sustained recovery from the current range.