The two crew members of the F-15 fighter plane escaped safely after being hit by Iranian fire, according to sources. U.S. special forces located one of the crew members and recovered him alive on Iranian soil. According to an Israeli official, Israel halted planned strikes in Iran to avoid interfering with search and rescue operations. Israel is providing intelligence to the United States to locate the other crew member, according to an Israeli official. The Iranian media was the first to report that a plane had been shot down. According to state television, anyone who locates US troops would be paid by the government. The Big Picture For the first time since the start of the war, an American jet has been shot down by enemy fire. Zoom in: An F-15E Strike Eagle flies with a pilot and a weapons systems officer. The Boeing-built aircraft are capable of flying both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Earlier in the war, three F-15Es were shot down by friendly fire. 13 Americans have been killed in the campaign. Zoom out: Iran’s successful downing of the US fighter comes despite repeated assurances by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials that the US has gained air superiority over Iran. During his prime-time address on Wednesday, President Trump stated that there was “nothing” Iran could do to prevent impending attacks on oil infrastructure. “They do not have any anti-aircraft equipment. Their radar is destroyed. “We are unstoppable as a military force,” he declared.

Tensions have escalated further in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran, following reports that a US fighter jet has been brought down over Iranian territory, triggering an urgent search-and-rescue operation.

According to multiple sources, the aircraft — believed to be an F-15E Strike Eagle — went down during active operations, with two crew members onboard at the time of the incident.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Initial reports indicate that both crew members ejected safely before the aircraft was lost. One of them has since been located and rescued by US special forces, while efforts are still ongoing to find the second individual.

Interestingly, Iranian authorities have also reportedly initiated their own search, even calling on civilians in affected areas to provide information in exchange for rewards — a move that has added another layer of complexity to the situation.

More Aircraft Reportedly Hit

In a separate development, Iranian forces claimed responsibility for hitting another US aircraft, identified as an A-10 Thunderbolt II.

While details remain unclear, sources suggest the pilot survived after being safely extracted. There were also reports involving a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter used in the rescue mission, which was allegedly hit but remained operational despite sustaining damage.

Conflicting Narratives and Uncertainty

As with many developments in active conflict zones, accounts of what happened vary significantly. While Iranian media has portrayed the incidents as major defensive successes, US-linked sources have maintained that rescue operations have been largely successful so far.

The lack of independent verification means several details — including the exact sequence of events — remain uncertain.

A Significant Moment in the Conflict

If confirmed, the downing of a US fighter jet by enemy fire would mark a notable escalation, especially given previous assurances by American officials that air superiority had been established.

The incident also raises new questions about the risks facing air operations in the region, despite advanced military capabilities.

Rising Stakes

With both sides intensifying their actions and narratives, the situation continues to evolve rapidly.

For now, the focus remains on locating the missing crew member and assessing the broader implications of what could be a turning point in the conflict.