UNITED KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE

The Independent leads British coverage with three distinct angles. First, operational: the F-15 was hit at 6:45 AM ET, one of two pilots ejected and was recovered by US special forces, Israel is assisting the search for the second. An Iranian TV anchor urged residents to 'shoot on sight' any enemy pilot before an on-screen crawl softened the message to a reward for live capture. Second, political: Trump, questioned by The Independent itself, refused to say what the US would do if the pilot fell into Iranian hands -- 'We hope that's not going to happen' -- before hanging up. Third, incendiary: a separate piece demolishes Pete Hegseth for framing the war as 'Jesus vs Muhammad,' a framing the Pope publicly contradicted. The British press plays its classic role as critical mirror of the American ally -- close enough to have direct presidential access, distant enough to judge. The tone is prosecutorial, letting facts speak: no need to say the situation is grave when the president hangs up mid-question about a missing pilot.