A US fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran, according to reports from Axios and The Guardian.
US officials confirmed that the aircraft, identified as an F-15E, was brought down during combat operations, becoming the first American fighter jet lost to enemy fire since the start of the war.
Iranian state media released images and video showing debris from the crash site, including what appeared to be parts of the aircraft and an ejection seat. Initial claims from Tehran suggested a more advanced jet had been hit, but analysts later verified the wreckage as belonging to an F-15E from a US Air Force squadron based in the UK.
A search and rescue operation is now underway to locate the two crew members who were on board. Footage circulating from the area appears to show US military aircraft, including helicopters, flying low over Iranian territory—an indication that efforts to recover the pilots are ongoing.
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Evidence suggesting the crew may have ejected has raised hopes they could still be alive. Images of a compatible ejector seat and the deployment of specialised rescue aircraft point to a possible survival scenario, though their status remains unclear.
At the same time, Iranian authorities have called on civilians to report or assist in locating the crew, even offering rewards—highlighting the high stakes surrounding the incident.
The Pentagon has not issued an official public statement, but officials speaking privately have acknowledged the loss and confirmed the ongoing recovery effort.
The downing of the jet underscores the growing intensity of the conflict and raises the risk of further escalation, particularly if the fate of the crew becomes a focal point in the confrontation between the two countries.
