A United States fighter jet has been shot down over Iranian territory, marking the first confirmed loss of a US aircraft to Iranian air defences since tensions between both sides intensified.
American officials and Iranian state media confirmed the development, with multiple US sources corroborating reports that the aircraft was intercepted by Iran’s air defence systems.
The jet, identified as an F-15E Strike Eagle, reportedly crashed in Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran, about 470 kilometres from Tehran.
Footage circulating online showed military activity near the Karoon River, believed to be part of search-and-rescue operations following the crash.
US forces have reportedly launched a combat search and rescue mission to locate the crew, said to consist of two pilots. However, Iranian media outlets, including Fars News and Tasnim News Agency, claimed that no personnel had been found as of the latest reports.
Iranian authorities also indicated that a reward had been offered for information leading to the capture of any surviving crew members, raising concerns about their safety.
According to Iranian sources, the aircraft was brought down by advanced air defence systems operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Images and videos shared by Iranian outlets appeared to show debris from the crash, though independent verification remains limited.
Earlier claims suggested the aircraft was an F-35, but subsequent reports from US sources identified it as an F-15E.
As of the time of filing this report, the Pentagon and other US defence authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or the status of the crew, a silence analysts say is typical during ongoing rescue operations in active conflict zones.
