Pilot rescued from downed jet in Iran
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One of the pilots who flew an F-15E fighter jet in Iran has been rescued, a well-placed source told Fox News.
The search is still underway to find the second member of the crew, the source said.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident, which marks the first known loss of a US aircraft in Iran since the conflict known as Operation Epic Fury began on February 28.
This comes after 13,000 combat flights and five weeks of campaign. Three F-15s were lost in a friendly fire incident in Kuwait.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and state media claimed to have shot down the US warplane over central Iran, particularly in the mountainous province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.
WHAT B-52 BOMBERS BRING TO FIGHT IN IRAN – AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE WAR
Initial Iranian reports claimed it was an F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. However, later photos of the wreckage published by Iranian media suggested that the aircraft could be an F-15E Strike Eagle, probably from the 494th Fighter Squadron based at Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath.
The Trump administration has informed congressional leaders about the incident, two sources confirmed to Fox.
The plane was believed to have been shot down by Iran, a US official told Fox News Digital. Central Command, the theater responsible for operations in the Middle East, has not confirmed the incident but is expected to issue a statement soon.
Local images appear to show HC-130s and HH-60 Black Hawks flying low over Iranian territory, suggesting a search for those on board. The Israel Defense Forces have suspended strikes while search and rescue operations are underway.
Combat search and rescue missions in hostile territory are among the most dangerous operations, often requiring aircraft and helicopters to operate deep within enemy air defenses. American fighter pilots undergo advanced survival, evasion, resistance, and evasion (SERE) training designed to prepare them to evade capture and survive behind enemy lines.
Promotional images of the F-15EX in action. (US Air Force)
A US F-15 fighter jet reportedly crashed over Iran’s Khuzestan province on April 3, 2026. (EarthStar Geography)
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a two-seat combat aircraft designed for long-range strike missions, capable of delivering precision-guided munitions deep into enemy territory. It is typically staffed by a pilot and a weapons systems officer and is widely used for air-to-ground and air-to-air operations. It can reach speeds of Mach 2.5 or 1,650 miles per hour.
Iranian state media released images purporting to show the damaged plane, including an ejection seat. Fox News has not verified their authenticity.
Trump says Iran ‘no longer a threat’ after 32 days – outlines next phase of US war
Iranian claims that U.S. aircraft had been shot down have surfaced several times during the conflict, although previous reports have been denied by U.S. officials.
For weeks, U.S. officials have insisted that the United States and Israel have “complete control over Iranian skies” and recently sent slower, non-stealthy B-52 bombers to Iran, emphasizing how convinced they were that Iranian air power had been all but eliminated.
“We have been participating in this military operation…for 32 days,” Trump said in a speech Wednesday. “And the country has been eviscerated and is no longer much of a threat.”
Iranian state media published images purporting to show the damaged plane. (Iranian state media)
Fox News has not verified the authenticity of the footage showing the plane wreckage. (Iranian state media)
The image reportedly shows the ejection seat of the downed F-15. (Iranian state media)
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“They don’t have anti-aircraft equipment,” Trump said. “Their radar is 100% destroyed. We are unstoppable.”
Trump also said he expected operations to end within two to three weeks, but added. “We are going to hit them extremely hard over the course of the next two to three weeks. »
Thirteen American soldiers lost their lives in Operation Epic Fury, and more than 350 were injured, although most have already returned to service, according to central command.
