US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran

For the first time, an American combat aircraft has been shot down inside Iranian airspace. Search and rescue efforts are still underway for the second crew member.

An American F-15 fighter jet was brought down in southern Iran, according to US and Israeli officials cited by American and international media. The aircraft was on a training-related mission when it was hit.

Two US officials told CBS News that one of the two pilots on board has been rescued. The search for the remaining crew member is continuing. Israeli officials have confirmed the same information to local media, according to Reuters.

Ongoing Search Operation

The crash occurred in southern Iran, where a large-scale search and rescue operation is now underway, reports The Washington Post. Video footage circulating online appears to show US military aircraft and helicopters involved in the operation.

Iran initially claimed the downed jet was an F-35, but sources cited by The Washington Post say it was an F-15E. This aligns with reports that two people were on board, as the F-35 is a single-seat aircraft.

Iran Claims Advanced Air Defense Used

Iranian authorities state that the aircraft was shot down by a new and advanced air defense system. In an official statement, they said the jet was completely destroyed and that there was initially no information about the pilots’ condition.

Later on Friday, a local branch of Iranian state television reported that at least one pilot ejected before the crash. The broadcaster read a public announcement stating that Iran is offering a reward for anyone who captures the pilot alive and hands them over to police.

Images shared by Iranian state media allegedly show an ejection seat rocket motor from the aircraft. CNN reports that the image matches equipment used in F-15E jets.

Trump: Incident Will Not Affect Talks

US President Donald Trump said Friday evening that the shootdown would not affect negotiations with Iran. In recent days, Trump has claimed the war is nearing its end and that talks are taking place—claims Iran has denied.

Neither US Central Command, the White House, nor the US Department of Defense responded to requests for comment from Associated Press.

Second US Aircraft Lost

Later on Friday, The New York Times reported that another US military aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf. According to two anonymous officials, the pilot was rescued and is safe.

The Washington Post reports that this aircraft—an A-10 Warthog—was also likely shot down. The crash occurred near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time the F-15E was hit over Iran.

Survival Equipment and Ejection Seats

The F-15E is equipped with rocket-powered ejection seats for both crew members. After ejection, parachutes deploy, and each person is connected to a survival kit.

Per Erik Solli, a senior defense analyst at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and a former fighter pilot, explains that the survival packs typically include basic equipment and radios, allowing pilots to contact friendly forces once on the ground.

If both parachutes deploy normally, the crew would likely land near each other. However, if one pilot is unconscious or unable to control the parachute, they could end up landing far apart.

Questions About Iran’s Air Defenses

Earlier in the conflict, Trump claimed that Iran’s air defense systems had been effectively destroyed. However, Solli says the shootdown of an F-15E suggests that parts of Iran’s air defenses are still operational.

He adds that the US may have underestimated Iran’s capabilities.

In early March, the US also lost three F-15 jets. At the time, US officials said the aircraft were mistakenly shot down by allied forces, while Iran claimed responsibility. All six crew members survived.

On March 19, an F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after reportedly being hit by Iranian fire. This incident drew particular attention from defense experts, as the F-35 is considered highly stealthy and has never before been shot down in combat. According to Solli, Iran likely used infrared sensors rather than radar to detect the aircraft.

Casualties So Far

So far in the conflict, 13 American soldiers have been killed and around 300 injured. Iranian casualty figures are less certain, but estimates suggest several thousand deaths.

Ps: This article is a rewritten summary of publicly reported news, written in my own words