A desperate hunt is underway for a missing American fighter pilot after a US jet was shot down over Iran, as the regime urges civilians to help track him down.
The two-seater F-15 aircraft came down over Iranian territory yesterday, according to NBC, with only one of the servicemen on board safely recovered so far.
The fate of the second crew member remains unclear — prompting a growing search effort amid ongoing hostilities.
Iranian state media has broadcast an extraordinary appeal offering rewards for the pilot’s capture. An anchor on a channel in Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province told viewers: “If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police, you will receive a precious prize.”
Images circulating online appear to show the wreckage of the downed jet, though US officials have yet to formally confirm details of the incident.
The White House has not issued an official statement on the crash.
Meanwhile, the surviving crew member from the F-15E has reportedly been rescued by US forces and is receiving medical treatment.
In a further escalation, a second US aircraft — an A-10 Thunderbolt, often referred to as a “Warthog” — was brought down over Kuwaiti airspace.
Footage aired by Iranian outlets appears to show the moment the plane was struck mid-air. Its pilot managed to eject before the crash.
Iranian strikes have also targeted rescue operations, hitting two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters involved in the mission. US personnel onboard suffered minor injuries.
The incidents mark the first time an American jet has been shot down by enemy fire since the start of Operation Epic Fury, underlining the intensifying conflict.
It comes after Donald Trump declared Iran had been ‘completely decimated’, even as the fighting continues.
Pressed on the missing pilot and whether the situation could impact talks with Tehran, the US president said: “No, not at all. No it’s war. We’re in war.”
Pentagon figures show the number of US service members wounded in the Iranian war has now climbed to 365.
