Saturday, April 4, 2026 - Iranian authorities have urged residents in the country’s south-west to help search for the crew of a downed US fighter jet, even offering a reward for anyone who captures the pilot alive.
Images aired on state television showed what was described
as the wreckage of the aircraft, twisted metal fragments loaded onto a
truck—following reports of fresh strikes across Israel, Iran, and parts of the
Gulf.
Officials in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province called on
local communities, including nomadic groups and villagers, to assist in
locating the pilot. A broadcast message promised a “valuable reward and bonus”
for anyone who hands over the pilot to authorities.
Iran’s Fars news agency said military forces had already
launched a search operation to find the American pilot who was reportedly shot
down earlier in the day.
The United States Central Command, which oversees US
military operations in the region, did not immediately respond to requests for
comment on the incident. If confirmed, this would mark the first known loss of
a US fighter jet inside Iran since Donald Trump ordered military action against
the country.
Reports suggest uncertainty about the type of aircraft
involved, with some sources referencing either an F-35 or an F-15E fighter jet.
Major American outlets, citing US and Israeli officials, indicated that a
rescue operation may already be underway.
Military experts note that in such situations, downed pilots
are trained to evade capture by hiding and using coded signals to communicate
their location. Survival gear typically includes a radio beacon, basic medical
supplies, food rations, and a sidearm, allowing pilots to survive in hostile
environments while awaiting rescue.
The incident follows earlier claims by Iranian media of
attempts to target US aircraft in the region, though previous footage showed
jets escaping without visible damage.
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