The United States successfully rescued one of two crew members aboard a fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, according to a U.S. official, as Washington intensifies efforts to locate the other pilot.
The confirmation, first reported by Reuters, aligns with multiple U.S. media accounts indicating that American special forces carried out a high-risk recovery mission shortly after the aircraft was brought down inside the Iranian territories.
Reports from CBS News and Axios, citing informed sources, state that U.S. special forces managed to extract one of the pilots following an intensive search-and-rescue operation. The mission came amid fears that Iranian forces could reach the crash site first.
The aircraft, believed to be a U.S. fighter jet, was reportedly downed earlier this week, further inflaming tensions between Washington and Tehran. However, details regarding the exact model of the aircraft and the circumstances of its downing remain unclear.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the second pilot, whose fate remains unknown. According to The New York Times, U.S. forces had pre-positioned specialized teams and equipment in the region precisely for scenarios involving downed aircraft, enabling a rapid response once the incident occurred.
Other media outlets, including The Jerusalem Post, have also confirmed the rescue of one pilot, citing official sources. Meanwhile, Iranian state media have offered a differing narrative, highlighting efforts to locate the remaining crew member and announcing a financial reward for information leading to his capture.
Iranian state television has called on residents in southwestern provinces to report any information about the missing pilot, underscoring the political and military sensitivities surrounding the incident. The development raises concerns about a potential escalation, particularly if the second pilot is captured by Iranian authorities.
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