The latest reports suggest that a US F-15 fighter jet has been shot down in Iran, with the US military launching a search and rescue operation to find the crew, the New York Times reported.
Iranian state media on Friday released images and video showing the wreckage of the plane, including the pilot’s safety seat, claiming that the plane had been shot down. The footage also showed US C-130 Hercules aircraft and two Black Hawks flying low over Iran, which were being used in the search for the pilots.
Iran has also called on locals to hand over the “enemy pilot” to police if they see him, offering rewards for anyone who does so. The Associated Press reported the news.
Since the start of the war, Iran has previously claimed to have shot down US aircraft at least six times, but all of those claims have been denied by US officials. If confirmed, this would be the first time Iran has successfully shot down a US aircraft since Operation Epic Fury began more than a month ago.
The incident comes as US President Donald Trump said the US operation would be over in two to three weeks. Oil prices rose on Friday after Iran launched strikes on oil refineries in the Gulf.
Meanwhile, further investigation and confirmation of the condition of the F-15 jet and its crew are underway, with the US military and the White House yet to issue an official response to the report.
