ISLAMABAD – White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed that US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the downing of an American fighter jet in Iranian airspace as Tehran announced reward for anyone who provides information on the pilot.
US officials confirmed that F-15E fighter jet was shot down, and one crew member has been rescued, while there are reports of high-stakes U.S. rescue operation.
The jet was reportedly downed over Iranian territory and the search for the pilot continues. CENTCOM has denied Iranian claims that a pilot was shot over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports, U.S. helicopters, planes, and drones are actively searching for the pilot, while Iranian state TV has sensationally announced that anyone capturing the pilot alive will be handsomely rewarded.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf took to social media where he mocked American supremacy.
“After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, now this grand ‘regime change’ war has reached the point that someone can find our pilots? Please?”
This incident occurred in the shadow of Trump’s March 31 claim that a regime change in Iran had already occurred, with the new leadership described as “less extremist” and “more reasonable.” Qalibaf’s account posted further taunts: “Wow! What a tremendous development. So wise.”
This is for first time when U. fighter jet has been shot down over Iran during this conflict, though friendly fire in the war’s early stages had previously destroyed three U.S. F-15Es in Kuwait.
The timing of the incident is critical. Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth repeatedly boasted of U.S. air superiority and Iran’s supposedly crippled defenses. Now, Iran has demonstrated that its air defense remains capable, defying claims of total U.S. dominance.
The incident also adds fuel to U.S. considerations of further military operations, including potential ground action, raising the stakes for American personnel. It may also intensify public concern over escalating casualties in an already volatile theater.
Clips circulating on social media show debris from the destroyed jet, including wingtip and vertical stabilizer of the aircraft, consistent with a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the U.K.
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