U.S. forces are searching for a missing aircrew member after an American fighter jet was shot down over Iran, while another U.S. aircraft involved in the rescue effort was also hit by Iranian fire, according to a U.S. official.
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The aircraft, an F-15E Strike Eagle, was brought down during the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. One of the two crew members aboard the fighter jet has already been recovered, but the second remains unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.
Rescue Effort Under Fire
A U.S. aircraft deployed to assist with the rescue mission was also struck during the operation, the official said.
That aircraft, an A-10 Thunderbolt — commonly known as the Warthog — managed to reach Kuwaiti airspace before the pilot ejected. The aircraft subsequently crashed in Kuwait, but the pilot survived and is safe, the official added.
Two U.S. military Black Hawk helicopters participating in the rescue effort were also hit by Iranian fire. However, the service members aboard those helicopters were not injured.
Iranian state-linked media outlets later published images and claims from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stating that it had shot down the F-15E. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House immediately confirmed Iran’s claim publicly.
Trump Briefed on Incident
Speaking briefly by phone on Friday, President Donald Trump declined to provide details about the rescue mission.
When asked whether the incident might affect efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict, Trump said it would not.
“No, not at all. No, it’s war,” he said.
The president has previously stated that the United States has been holding negotiations with Iran aimed at ending the conflict, though Iranian officials maintain that no direct talks are taking place.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump did not immediately address the downed aircraft. Instead, he posted a short message referencing Iran’s oil industry, writing: “Keep the oil, anyone?”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump had been briefed on the situation.
First Confirmed Loss Over Iran
If confirmed, the incident would mark the first time a U.S. aircraft has been downed inside Iranian territory during the current conflict.
In recent days, the United States has increased the number of bombing missions carried out over Iran. The downing of the fighter jet could raise new questions about U.S. and Israeli assertions that their forces have largely secured control of Iranian airspace.
Their joint military campaign has focused heavily on targeting Iran’s air defense systems and missile infrastructure. However, Tehran appears to retain the ability to strike back against U.S. and allied forces in the region.
Iran has previously claimed to have shot down American aircraft during the conflict, though those incidents had not been confirmed by the United States.
Last month, U.S. Central Command reported that an F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing on March 19 but did not confirm whether the incident was linked to Iranian action.
Local Bounty Offered for Crew
As news of the downed aircraft spread, a regional governor in southwestern Iran reportedly called on residents to help locate the crew of the F-15E.
According to Iranian state and semi-official media outlets, a representative of local merchants and businesses offered a reward equivalent to around $60,000 for information leading to the capture of the crew.
Nour News, an outlet affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, reported that the fighter jet had been destroyed by a “new advanced air defense system” operated by the Guard’s aerospace division.
A channel linked to Iranian state television also claimed that a U.S. pilot had ejected over a rural area in southwestern Iran and urged local residents to report or detain any “enemy pilot.”
The conflict between the United States and Iran is now more than a month old, with both sides continuing military operations while diplomatic efforts remain uncertain.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 4 April 2026
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