The Iranian military has shot down a US F-35 fight jet over its territory, local media outlets, including Tasnim news agency, have claimed. US officials confirmed the loss of an F-15 jet and claimed that one pilot has been rescued.
Photos and videos purporting to show the jet’s crash site, including pictures of the debris and an ejected pilot seat have been released. The images show what appears to be a tail fin and other parts of the aircraft with an inscription saying: “US Air Forces in Europe.”
According to The Guardian, the jet could be a part of the US Air Force’s 494th Squadron, based at Royal Air Force base in Lakenheath, UK.
American news outlet Axios reported, citing sources, that the downed jet was an F-15 and not the latest generation F-35. According to CBS, one of the jet’s two crew members was rescued, with search efforts ongoing.
Iranian media claimed that the US rescue effort failed. The operation involved at least two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft, Tasnim reported. At least one of the helicopters was reportedly damaged during the operation, with photos published on social media showing gray smoke coming from it.
According to Tasnim, the Iranian military likely captured the pilot, who ejected from the aircraft and landed in western Iran.
The US and Israel began a bombing campaign against Iran on February 28. Despite claims by US President Donald Trump that Tehran’s ability to strike back has been severely diminished, Iran has hit US bases throughout the Middle East.
Iran has claimed that it shot down at least two F-35 jets since the start of the war. The US military denied these claims. Satellite imagery, as well as drone and on-scene footage, suggests that the Iranian military hit several US radars in the region and destroyed a number of planes, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control aircraft.