Tehran — The United States confirmed that an F‑15E Strike Eagle was shot down in southern Iran on Saturday, with one of the two pilots rescued in a special operations mission while the second remained missing, officials said.
State media in Iran had initially reported that the aircraft was an F‑35 Lightning II, but weapons experts later identified the downed jet as an F-15E Strike Eagle.
Images circulated online showed wreckage scattered across terrain consistent with a crash following combat operations.
Iranian officials called on local residents to assist in locating the missing pilot, offering a reward of up to $60,000. The incident marks one of the first reported US aircraft losses inside Iran since tensions escalated on February 28.
The episode further heightened regional tensions, with Washington and Tehran locked in a volatile military and political standoff.
US forces were continuing search efforts to locate the missing pilot and ensure his safety, officials said.
