WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — A U.S. fighter jet pilot has been rescued alive after an F-15 aircraft went down over Iran, a U.S. official said Friday. The incident marks a major escalation in the ongoing conflict and raises fresh concerns about air superiority in the region.
U.S. military forces carried out a high-risk rescue mission to recover the pilot after the aircraft crashed. Officials said the jet appears to have been shot down by Iranian forces, though the Pentagon has not yet confirmed the exact cause. Search operations continue for others who may have been on board. Officials have not released details about the number of crew members or their condition. Iranian state media reported earlier in the day that its military had shot down a U.S. fighter jet. Several outlets published photos they claimed showed wreckage from the aircraft. Analysts reviewing the images suggested the structure resembled an F-15.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, claimed responsibility for the strike. A report from a media outlet linked to the IRGC said a new advanced air defense system brought down the jet over central Iran. The U.S. government has not confirmed these claims. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Karoline Leavitt said that Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation. She described the incident as a serious development in the conflict, which has now lasted more than a month.
The downing of a U.S. aircraft could signal a shift in the balance of power. The U.S. and its allies have focused on weakening Iran’s air defenses in recent weeks. However, Iran has continued to show it can respond with force. Trump has pushed Iran to agree to a deal to end the conflict. He has also warned of further escalation if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route. Military analysts say the incident may challenge U.S. and Israeli claims of control over Iranian airspace. Iran’s ability to strike back could complicate future operations.
Iranian officials urged residents to help locate the pilot and any other crew members. A regional governor in southwestern Iran offered a reward for information. Reports said business representatives also pledged financial incentives. Some Iranian media outlets took a more aggressive tone. One television channel encouraged residents to capture any “enemy pilot” they found. Earlier messages even called on locals to take violent action, though those reports remain unverified. Videos shared by semi-official news agencies appeared to show civilians firing at aircraft in rural areas. Experts have not confirmed the authenticity of these clips.
This is not the first aviation-related incident in the conflict. U.S. Central Command reported that an F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing on March 19. Officials did not say whether enemy fire caused the issue. Earlier in the conflict, Kuwait accidentally shot down three U.S. fighter jets in a friendly fire incident. U.S. officials described the event as a mistake by an allied force. Iran has claimed in the past that it struck American aircraft. The U.S. has not confirmed any of those claims until now.
The F-15 is a key part of the U.S. Air Force’s combat fleet. It plays a major role in both air-to-air and ground attack missions. The aircraft involved in this incident may belong to the 48th Fighter Wing, based in the United Kingdom. This unit supports U.S. operations in Europe and the Middle East. It includes advanced fighter jets such as the F-15 Strike Eagle and F-35 Lightning II. The loss of such an aircraft, if confirmed, would represent a significant moment in the conflict.
Officials continue to gather information about the incident. The safe recovery of the pilot offers some relief, but questions remain about the fate of others on board. The situation highlights the risks faced by military personnel in the region. It also underscores the fragile nature of the conflict, which shows no clear sign of ending soon. As both sides trade claims and warnings, the world watches closely for the next move.
