Iranian media claim a U.S. F-15E was shot down with pilots missing in southern Iran as American rescue aircraft reportedly conduct search-and-rescue operations, though U.S. authorities have not confirmed the incident.
Reports circulating in Iranian media say U.S. pilots are missing in southern Iran following the alleged shootdown of an F-15E Strike Eagle. Videos shared online appear to show HC-130J Combat King II and HH-60G Pave Hawk aircraft flying at low altitude over areas including Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
Footage circulating on Iranian state-linked outlets and OSINT accounts appears to show the HC-130J refueling helicopters midair, a typical setup for a combat search-and-rescue mission. Iranian sources claim the fighter jet was downed by air defenses and that its crew may have ejected before the crash.
However, United States Central Command has not confirmed the incident. The command previously dismissed similar reports as “baseless and NOT TRUE.” Iranian authorities have also called on residents to help locate the “American pilot(s)” while some reports claim the crew may already have been captured.
Videos appearing to show US helicopters operating in Iran were sent to Iran International on Friday, as Iranian state media released footage it said showed a rescue operation for the pilot of a downed US fighter jet. pic.twitter.com/Mls6m8qRqV
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) April 3, 2026