US fighter jet downed in Iran, search and rescue underway

thebesig | April 3, 2026 | 9 Comments

An F-15 crashed in Iran, prompting the US military to conduct search and rescue operations. One pilot was recovered, the second is still missing as of the linked report. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the downed aircraft and of the search and rescue’s progress. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that the aircraft was shot down. The Iranians initially claimed that they shot an F-35 down, but the images that they showed indicated an F-15E.

From Fox News:

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and state media claimed to have shot down a U.S. fighter jet over central Iran, specifically in the mountainous Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

Initial Iranian reports claimed the aircraft was an F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. However, subsequent photos of wreckage released by Iranian media suggest the aircraft may be an F-15E Strike Eagle, likely from the 494th Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath.

The Trump administration has notified congressional leaders about the incident, two sources confirmed to Fox.

It’s not immediately clear why the jet went down. Central Command, the theater responsible for operations in the Middle East, is expected to issue a statement soon.

Local footage appears to show HC-130s and HH-60 Black Hawks flying low over Iranian territory, suggesting a search for those on board.

Iranian state media released images purporting to show the damaged jet, including an ejector seat. Fox News has not verified their authenticity.

U.S. officials for weeks have insisted the U.S. and Israel have “complete control over Iranian skies,” and recently sent the slower, non-stealthy B-52 bombers into Iran, underscoring how confident they were that Iranian airpower had been nearly eliminated.

“We are in this military operation … for 32 days,” Trump said in an address Wednesday. “And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat.”

Additional Reading:

Phillips, M., Doocy, P., & Friden, L. (2026, April 3). US pilot rescued from downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran, search for second crew member ongoing. Fox News. Link.