A US fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, prompting American forces to launch a search and rescue operation to locate the crew.
The New York Times, citing US officials, confirmed that a US fighter aircraft had been brought down. The fate of the crew remains unclear, even as efforts are underway to trace any survivors before they are captured.
Iran Claims Multiple Aircraft Downed
Iranian reports claimed that two American jets and a Black Hawk helicopter were downed. According to Iranian media, an F-15E fighter jet was shot down hours after a fifth-generation F-35 aircraft was also brought down.
However, US authorities have not clarified which aircraft was hit.
Crew Rescue Efforts And Aircraft Details
CBS News, citing US officials, reported that one crew member from the downed fighter jet has been rescued.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat aircraft, crewed by a pilot and a weapons systems officer, while the F-35 is a single-seat jet.
Black Hawk Claim, No US Response Yet
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency said air defence systems had shot down a US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Iraqi airspace. The helicopter was reportedly part of the rescue mission to locate the pilot of the downed jet.
🇺🇸 Iran is claiming the U.S. just launched a rescue operation inside Iranian territory for downed F-15E pilots.
If confirmed, American aircraft are now flying combat search-and-rescue missions over a country they’re at war with.pic.twitter.com/FZcjwYzSRA https://t.co/mGipuybCoP
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 3, 2026
US officials have not responded to this claim.
Search Operation Expands Under Fire
Iranian outlets Fars and Tasnim reported that several US aircraft, including helicopters and C-130 Hercules planes, were deployed for the rescue mission but retreated after coming under Iranian air defence fire.
A video circulating on social media purportedly showed a C-130 aircraft flying low over southern Iran, accompanied by two helicopters.
Public Warnings And Escalating Rhetoric
Iranian broadcasters issued warnings urging residents to hand over any “enemy pilot” to authorities, promising rewards for information. Some media reports also carried appeals asking the public to locate suspected pilots.
Images released by Iranian media purportedly showed debris of a second F-35 jet downed over central Iran by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ air defence system. Iranian officials claimed the pilot was unlikely to have ejected.
Escalation Follows US Strike
The reported downing of the US aircraft came shortly after President Donald Trump highlighted the US bombing of the Karaj bridge in Iran. Tehran has since warned of retaliatory strikes against US, Israeli and Gulf targets.
The US Central Command and the White House have not yet issued an official response to the latest developments.
