Iran has claimed to have shot down an American fighter jet and is searching for the crew
Iran has claimed to have shot down an American fighter jet and is conducting a search and rescue operation to locate the two crew members. This was reported by Iranian state media and a source familiar with the incident.
According to the published data, this may be the first instance since the start of hostilities in which a US aircraft has been shot down by enemy fire.
On Friday, Iranian state media published photos and videos allegedly showing the wreckage of the aircraft and one of the ejection seats. According to these materials, the aircraft in question is an F-15 fighter jet.
At the same time, Iranian media reported on another incident involving an F-35 fighter jet. Specifically, according to their reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have shot down such an aircraft in central Iran.
Iranian state television also reported that a reward is being offered for information regarding the pilot.
Iranian media, notably Nournews and associated outlets, reported the possible capture of the pilot of the American fighter jet shot down on Iranian territory. According to unofficial reports, ground forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been conducting operations in the area where the aircraft crashed since the morning and had allegedly located and detained the pilot. The publication of an image of the aircraft’s ejection seat may have taken place after the pilot’s detention and was intended to mislead US search and rescue units.
However, it is noted that this information has not been independently verified.
In parallel, there are reports of the mobilisation of the local population in the provinces of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. According to these reports, residents, including representatives of tribal groups and rural communities, have taken up positions in various areas and are patrolling mountainous and flat terrain in anticipation of possible actions by the US military.
Iranian sources also report that the US is conducting a search and rescue operation using Black Hawk helicopters, a C-130 Hercules aircraft and reconnaissance drones. According to their information, the search is being conducted over a vast area, which may indicate a lack of precise coordinates for the pilot. The Iranian agency Tasnim claims that these searches have yielded no results.
Meanwhile, in Ilam Province, reports of a US troop landing have been denied. Ilam’s Deputy Governor, Tajeddin Salehian, stated that reports of US forces infiltrating or landing are false, and that the security situation in the region remains stable.
Reports of a possible US military operation on Kharq Island have also been denied. According to Iranian sources, the Iranian armed forces have full control of the island, and the situation is under constant surveillance.
Official representatives of the United States, including the White House and military command, have not yet commented on these statements.
Tensions in the region have risen since the start of a joint US-Israeli operation against Iran on 28 February. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes against targets in Israel, Jordan, Iraq and the Gulf states, where US military facilities are located.
