One crew member from a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has been rescued after the aircraft was shot down over Iran, a U.S. official confirmed Friday. A search was continuing for the second pilot from the two-seater jet.
According to the official, Iran appears to have downed the jet. The incident happened as the United States has increased its bombing runs over Iran in the month-long conflict. Two U.S. military helicopters involved in the search-and-rescue mission were also hit by Iranian fire, but no American service members were injured.
Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quickly claimed responsibility. They released photos and videos showing what they said was wreckage from the downed aircraft. One expert who reviewed the images identified the plane’s tail markings as belonging to the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. This unit flies F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35s and has played a major role in U.S. operations in the Middle East.
A regional governor in southwestern Iran publicly offered a reward for the capture of the American crew. Reports said a local business group promised the equivalent of about $60,000. Iranian media urged residents to turn in any “enemy pilot” and even broadcast messages telling people to shoot at U.S. aircraft if they saw them. Videos later surfaced showing locals firing at American helicopters.
The Pentagon and White House did not immediately comment on Iran’s claims. In a short phone interview, President Donald Trump said Iran’s actions would not hurt ongoing negotiations. “No, not at all,” he told reporters. “No, it’s war.” He did not post directly about the jet on Truth Social. Instead, he wrote a message asking, “Keep the oil, anyone?”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump had been briefed on the situation. The downing of the F-15E is the first confirmed case of a U.S. aircraft being lost inside Iran during this conflict. It challenges earlier suggestions that the U.S. and Israel had total control of Iranian airspace, even though American and Israeli forces have heavily targeted Iran’s missile defenses.
Iran has made previous claims of shooting down U.S. planes, but the United States has not confirmed those reports. Earlier in the war, Kuwait accidentally shot down three U.S. fighter jets. On March 19, U.S. Central Command reported that an F-35 made an emergency landing, but did not say it was caused by Iranian action. Iranian media also claimed a second F-35 was destroyed over central Iran on Friday, but the U.S. has not confirmed that report either.
The incident comes as President Trump has declared progress in the war and pressed Iran to agree to a deal. He has warned of stronger action if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route. At the same time, the U.S. has continued to build up troops in the Middle East.
This event adds to questions about how effective the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign has been at neutralizing Iran’s air defenses. While many systems have been damaged, Iran has shown it can still strike back.
The rescue operation followed hours of intense coverage by Iranian media. Officials and experts continue to monitor the situation closely as the conflict enters its second month.
