A search-and-rescue operation is underway for the second pilot
Friday 03 April 2026 18:03 BST
One crew member rescued after US F-15 shot down over Iran while search continues for other pilot
One crew member has been rescued and the search continues for the second pilot after a U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran, according to reports.
The crew member was rescued by US forces, two US officials have told CBS News. Two sources tell CNN that the rescued pilot is alive and receiving medical attention.
Officials say one of the airmen of the F-15E Strike Eagle was ejected before the aircraft went down. U.S. officials are racing to recover the second pilot before Iranian forces can reach them. Israel is helping the United States with the search and rescue operation.
Meanwhile, an Iranian news anchor has urged residents to hand over any “enemy pilot” to police and promised a reward for anyone who did. An on-screen crawl earlier urged the public to “shoot them if you see them,” referring to social media footage circulating of what appeared to be U.S. aircraft in the area.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the development which comes as tension escalates between the United States and Iran. Over the past 24 hours, both sides have exchanged strikes targeting military and civilian infrastructure across the region.
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One crew member rescued after US F-15 shot down over Iran while search continues for other pilot
One crew member has been rescued and the search continues for the second pilot after a U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran, according to reports.
The crew member was rescued by US forces, two US officials have told CBS News. Two sources tell CNN that the rescued pilot is alive and receiving medical attention.
Officials say one of the airmen of the F-15E Strike Eagle was ejected before the aircraft went down. U.S. officials are racing to recover the second pilot before Iranian forces can reach them. Israel is helping the United States with the search and rescue operation.
Meanwhile, an Iranian news anchor has urged residents to hand over any “enemy pilot” to police and promised a reward for anyone who did. An on-screen crawl earlier urged the public to “shoot them if you see them,” referring to social media footage circulating of what appeared to be U.S. aircraft in the area.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the development which comes as tension escalates between the United States and Iran. Over the past 24 hours, both sides have exchanged strikes targeting military and civilian infrastructure across the region.
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A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft was shot down over Iran (File photo) (via REUTERS)
Iranian state-linked media outlets reported that helicopters were deployed to search for the downed jet’s crew, though there were conflicting accounts about their origin.
The Fars news agency said it was unclear who operated the aircraft, while Tasnim reported they were American and claimed at least one helicopter was forced to retreat after coming under fire. Tasnim also said a US C-130 Hercules aircraft was involved in the operation.
Mizan, an outlet affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, reported that an American rescue mission was active and published images it claimed showed U.S. aircraft in Iranian airspace.
Iranian officials called on civilians to be on the lookout for survivors, according to Reuters. The governor of Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said whomever captured or killed the crew “would be specially commended,” according to the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.
It would mark the first time the U.S. has lost aircraft in Iranian territory and marks a dramatic escalation in the war since it began five weeks ago.
The incident could represent a significant political complication for Trump, who suggested in a primetime address to the nation this week that the war was ending and that Iran's military capability had been all but destroyed. He nevertheless said the US-Israeli bombardment would continue for “two or three weeks.”
Iranian state-linked media outlets reported that helicopters were deployed to search for the downed jet’s crew, though there were conflicting accounts about their origin.
The Fars news agency said it was unclear who operated the aircraft, while Tasnim reported they were American and claimed at least one helicopter was forced to retreat after coming under fire. Tasnim also said a US C-130 Hercules aircraft was involved in the operation.
Mizan, an outlet affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, reported that an American rescue mission was active and published images it claimed showed U.S. aircraft in Iranian airspace.
Iranian officials called on civilians to be on the lookout for survivors, according to Reuters. The governor of Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said whomever captured or killed the crew “would be specially commended,” according to the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.
It would mark the first time the U.S. has lost aircraft in Iranian territory and marks a dramatic escalation in the war since it began five weeks ago.
The incident could represent a significant political complication for Trump, who suggested in a primetime address to the nation this week that the war was ending and that Iran's military capability had been all but destroyed. He nevertheless said the US-Israeli bombardment would continue for “two or three weeks.”
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The incident comes as the US and Israel continue to deliver strikes against Iran (AFP via Getty Images)
Shortly before the jet was shot down Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Iran’s attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and its tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas transits in peacetime, have roiled stock markets, sent oil prices skyrocketing, and threatened to raise the cost of many basic goods, including food.
Trump has threatened further escalation, warning of potential strikes on Iran’s energy grid if the strait is not reopened. Iranian officials have rejected negotiations under current conditions.
“Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!” he wrote on social media late Thursday. “New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”
On Friday, Trump celebrated the bombing of an Iranian bridge, as he warned on social media that there was “much more to follow.” Footage showed the moment the B1 bridge in Karaj, west of Tehran, was cut in half by the strike on Thursday. The attack killed eight people and wounded 95, Iranian news media reported.
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Shortly before the jet was shot down Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Iran’s attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and its tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas transits in peacetime, have roiled stock markets, sent oil prices skyrocketing, and threatened to raise the cost of many basic goods, including food.
Trump has threatened further escalation, warning of potential strikes on Iran’s energy grid if the strait is not reopened. Iranian officials have rejected negotiations under current conditions.
“Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!” he wrote on social media late Thursday. “New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”
On Friday, Trump celebrated the bombing of an Iranian bridge, as he warned on social media that there was “much more to follow.” Footage showed the moment the B1 bridge in Karaj, west of Tehran, was cut in half by the strike on Thursday. The attack killed eight people and wounded 95, Iranian news media reported.
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A view of the B1 bridge is pictured, a day after it was destroyed by a strike in Karaj, southwest of Tehran (AFP via Getty Images)
Today’s incident is the first U.S. or Israeli jet to have been shot down over Iran since the war started. Three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle jets were downed by friendly fire over Kuwait in March. None of the aircrews were injured.
Today’s incident is the first U.S. or Israeli jet to have been shot down over Iran since the war started. Three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle jets were downed by friendly fire over Kuwait in March. None of the aircrews were injured.
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