On Friday, Iran announced it had downed an American fighter jet and offered a reward for information leading to the capture of its missing pilot. This development occurred as search-and-rescue teams were mobilized to locate the aircraft’s crew.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reported to Tehran’s Press TV that their “newly developed and advanced air defenses” successfully targeted the jet, resulting in its complete destruction and subsequent crash.
If confirmed, this incident would mark the first recorded loss of an American jet within Iran’s borders since the conflict began.
A state TV broadcaster’s local affiliate emphasized that a reward awaits any Iranian citizen who assists authorities in locating the pilot, who is believed to have ejected over southwestern Iran.
“Those who capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and turn them in to the police will be awarded a valuable prize,” stated the anchor, as reported by the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, U.S. sources informed Axios that efforts are underway to locate the two crew members through a dedicated search-and-rescue mission.
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The Pentagon has yet to make a statement on the reports.
Iran has regularly made fraudulent claims of downing American aircraft throughout the monthlong war.
As recently as Thursday, US Central Command issued a statement denying a claim of another reported downing made up by the Iranians.
“FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran’s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times,” the combatant command posted to X â hours before the latest report.
