US F-15 shot down over Iran: One pilot rescued, second missing

A U.S. F-15 fighter jet was strike down over Iran on Friday, April 3, 2026.

This marks the first American combat aircraft lost to enemy fire since the war started five weeks ago.

Among two crew members, one has been rescued. However, U.S. officials reported that a massive search operation is underway for the second pilot.

The two-seat Strike Eagle jet was shot down in southwestern Iran after coming under attack by the country’s air defense forces, according to sources.

The American special forces managed to recover one of the pilots who survived. Israel allegedly postponed the scheduled airstrikes in the region to prevent any disruption of rescue operations.

The news was first confirmed by Iranian state media that published the images of wreckage and called the local civilians to join the search.

The Iranian officials have also announced a reward for capturing any American personnel.

The attack occurred just days after the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boasted about America’s superiority in the skies, stating that they flew their B-52 bombers over Iran.

The death toll for U.S. troops involved in the operation is 13.