IRIA News

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A United States F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Iran on April 3, 2026. U.S. officials confirmed that the aircraft was brought down during ongoing combat operations.

The incident marks a significant escalation in the conflict and the first confirmed case of a manned U.S. aircraft being downed by enemy fire during Operation Epic Fury.

According to multiple U.S. sources, the aircraft was carrying two crew members at the time. One crew member has been successfully rescued by U.S. special forces and is currently receiving medical attention, while search efforts continue for the second individual.

The U.S. forces have launched an extensive search and rescue mission in Iranian territory, raising the stakes of the ongoing conflict.

Video footage circulating on social media shows low-flying U.S. aircraft, including an HC-130 refueling plane and HH-60 helicopters, operating in what appears to be a coordinated rescue effort.

Geolocated footage indicates that the operation is taking place in southwestern Iran, with aircraft flying at low altitude over rugged terrain. Reports suggest that Israeli intelligence is also assisting the United States in locating the missing crew member.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that “the president has been briefed” on the situation.

A second U.S. Air Force aircraft, an A-10 Warthog single-seat attack plane, was shot down by Iran and crashed in the Persian Gulf, U.S. officials told local media.

According to the U.S. officials, the lone pilot of the A-10 aircraft was safely rescued.

Iran Calls for Capture of US Crew

Iranian officials have urged civilians to assist in locating the missing U.S. crew member, with reports indicating that rewards are being offered for their capture.

Initial instructions reportedly called for targeting the crew on sight, but were later revised to encourage capture instead.

State-linked media outlets in Iran reported that authorities are mobilizing local populations in mountainous regions to search for the missing personnel.

Provincial officials have also issued statements promising recognition or rewards for those who assist in capturing or locating the crew.

The search is focused in remote areas, including parts of the Zagros mountain range, where terrain and elevation complicate rescue efforts.

Video footage published by Iranian state-run media which claims to show the targeting of a U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt ll earlier today over Southern Iran by a surface-to-air missile, with the A-10 later crashing in the Persian Gulf off the coast of Kuwait, while the pilot… pic.twitter.com/0CCwa1Q8iI

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026

Confusion over Aircraft Type

Iranian state media initially claimed that an F-35 stealth fighter jet had been shot down. However, images of the wreckage shared publicly suggest the aircraft was in fact an F-15E Strike Eagle.

Analysis of debris, including a tail fin marked with red striping, indicates links to the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. Additional images reportedly show parts consistent with an F-15 structure, including an Advanced Concept Ejection Seat.

U.S. officials have confirmed that the downed aircraft was an F-15E, a dual-role fighter capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Earlier in the week, U.S. Central Command denied Iranian claims that its forces had downed an American aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz, stating that “all U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for” and accusing Iran of making repeated false claims.

However, the latest incident appears to contradict those earlier denials, though the exact location and circumstances of the shoot-down have not yet been officially confirmed by the Pentagon.

Operational Risks for US

The downing of the jet adds to a growing list of U.S. casualties during the conflict. A total of 13 U.S. service members have been killed in combat operations, with 348 personnel reported wounded as of March 31. Most of the injured have returned to duty, though several remain in serious condition.

Earlier incidents include the crash of a KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq, which killed six airmen, and a friendly fire episode in which three F-15E jets were mistakenly shot down by allied forces. In that case, all crew members survived after ejecting safely.

Additionally, a U.S. F-35 fighter jet was previously hit by enemy fire but managed to make an emergency landing.

Strategic Implications

The incident comes amid repeated claims by U.S. officials that Washington has achieved air superiority over Iran. President Donald Trump recently stated that U.S. forces were operating freely over Iranian airspace, saying, “They can’t do a thing about it.”

The successful downing of a U.S. jet, if confirmed in full detail, could challenge those assertions and highlight Iran’s continued ability to respond militarily despite sustained U.S. strikes. The situation remains fluid, with both rescue operations and military activity ongoing.