Iranian forces shot down a US F-15E fighter jet over southwestern Iran on Friday, prompting an active search-and-rescue operation for the two-person crew in what marks the first American warplane lost to hostile fire since the conflict began on February 28.
US officials confirmed the downing to multiple news outlets but declined to provide details about the crew's status. The Pentagon and US Central Command did not respond to requests for comment, while the White House said only that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident.
Iranian state media released images purporting to show aircraft wreckage and deployed ground forces to search for survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province announced that anyone who captured the crew would receive special recognition.
Dear and honourable people of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, if you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police and military forces, you will receive a valuable reward and bonus
Iranian television reporter — Bangkok Post
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show US rescue aircraft — a C-130J transport plane flanked by two Pave Hawk helicopters — operating at low altitude over rural areas south of Lali in Iran's Khuzestan province. Iranian media later claimed to have shot down a US helicopter involved in the rescue operation, though this remains unconfirmed.
Focuses on official US confirmation and search operations while providing context about previous aircraft losses. Emphasizes this as the first warplane lost to hostile fire since the conflict began.