Overview
- Iranian state media said Friday it downed a U.S. fighter over central Iran, and major U.S. outlets identified the jet as an F-15E with two people on board.
- U.S. special operations forces recovered one crew member, and CNN reported the airman received medical care as videos online showed low-flying helicopters supporting the mission.
- Search teams are still looking for the second person after Iranian outlets broadcast wreckage images and authorities urged residents to capture the pilots for a reward.
- Tehran’s forces claimed a new air-defense system hit the aircraft, while local TV and police reports pointed to a crash in Kohgilujeh and Bojer-Ahmad province.
- The shootdown is the first reported U.S. jet lost to enemy fire over Iran since late-February strikes by the U.S. and Israel began.