A US fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, according to U.S. and Israeli officials as well as Iranian state-affiliated media on Friday, escalating already heightened tensions in the region.
A search-and-rescue operation is now underway to locate two crew members. Officials say the pilot ejected before the aircraft went down, but the condition and whereabouts of both individuals remain unknown.
US officials are racing to recover the crew before Iranian forces can reach them.
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 U.S. 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 US aircraft in Iranian airspace.
An anchor on an Iranian state television affiliate read a statement on air that urged civilians to capture the “enemy’s pilot or pilots” and hand them over to authorities in exchange for a reward, the New York Times reported.
This 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.
President Donald 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!”
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