A U.S. F-15 fighter jet has been shot down over southwestern Iran, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation. Officials confirmed that one crew member has been rescued, while the fate of the second remains unknown.
Iranian state media claim the aircraft was shot down by Iranian forces, though the U.S. has not yet confirmed this. Video footage shows a U.S. plane accompanied by helicopters flying over Khuzestan province, consistent with rescue efforts.
The jet, an F-15E Strike Eagle, carries a pilot and a Weapons Systems Officer and is used for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Reports suggest a surface-to-air missile may have brought it down, though details remain unverified.
This marks the first known U.S. fighter jet loss in the current conflict, raising questions about Iran’s air defense capabilities and the risks facing U.S. personnel in the region.
Iranian authorities have emphasized capturing any surviving crew member alive and reportedly offered a local reward. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the incident on social media, highlighting the embarrassment for U.S. forces.
The downing comes amid heightened U.S. and Israeli operations in the region. Israel claims to have destroyed 70% of Iran’s steel production, while U.S. strikes on key infrastructure, including a bridge near Karaj, have reportedly killed eight and injured dozens.
Regional tensions remain high, with Iran continuing missile and drone strikes on Israel and Gulf neighbors, including recent attacks on Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery and desalination plant.
Military analysts note that while the U.S. has claimed air superiority, this incident shows that dangers remain. The White House and Pentagon have kept details limited, citing the sensitivity of ongoing rescue operations.
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