Iran said it had downed an American F-15 fighter jet. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment and has not confirmed that the incident took place, but Iranian state media are circulating photographs and video footage that they claim show the aircraft’s wreckage. One Telegram channel linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published an image of an ejection seat—suggesting that at least one pilot ejected.
In a photograph published by Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV, a man holds a piece of wreckage.
Wreckage in an image released by Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV
The F-15 crew consists of two people. As two sources told CBS News, one of them was rescued, though no further details were disclosed.
USAF HC-130J and HH-60G Pave Hawks on a deep combat search and rescue for the downed F-15 Strike Eagle crew in Iran. pic.twitter.com/vhCqUupLuz
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 3, 2026
A search-and-rescue operation has been launched in the crash area. Videos circulating from local residents and channels linked to the IRGC suggest that US Air Force helicopters, A-10 attack aircraft, and aerial refueling tankers are involved. The footage also appears to show Iranians firing at them with hunting rifles. In addition, the IRGC attempted to bring down one of the helicopters using a man-portable air-defense system, but the effort failed.