An American fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, triggering an ongoing search-and-rescue mission for its crew, while Iranian media reportedly called on civilians to help locate the pilots in exchange for a reward.
According to U.S. officials, the aircraft — identified as an F-15E Strike Eagle — went down during operations over Iranian territory. The jet had two crew members on board, both of whom are believed to have ejected before the crash.
One of the crew members has since been rescued by U.S. forces, while efforts continue to locate the second pilot, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the downing of the aircraft, stating that it was brought down using “newly developed and advanced air defense systems.” Iranian state media also broadcast images said to show wreckage from the crash.
In a controversial move, a presenter on Iranian state television urged citizens to assist in locating the downed pilots. “If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to authorities, you will receive a valuable reward,” the broadcaster announced.
U.S. Central Command has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement on the incident, though officials have confirmed the loss of the aircraft.
The development marks a significant escalation, as it is believed to be the first confirmed instance of a U.S. fighter jet being shot down inside Iran during the current conflict.
Despite the confirmation, U.S. authorities have previously dismissed similar claims by Iran in recent weeks as misinformation, noting that earlier reports of downed American aircraft were inaccurate.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise between both countries, with ongoing military operations and sharp exchanges between officials. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also weighed in on the situation, criticizing U.S. leadership in a statement shared on social media.
The situation remains fluid, with military sources indicating that rescue operations are ongoing and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
