The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump has been briefed regarding the incident. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president has been informed about the aircraft that went down.
“The President has been briefed,” she remarked.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, one of the two American pilots aboard the F-15E fighter jet has been rescued and evacuated from southern Iran.
US officials cited by CBS News confirmed that one crew member from the downed F-15 jet has been saved. The crew member was recovered by US forces, according to these officials. Reuters also reported that US forces managed to rescue one crew member after the fighter jet was downed over Iran, referring to two US officials.
Iranian state media reported that the F-15 fighter jet was shot down near Dehdasht city in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in southwestern Iran. Reports indicate that the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, and the pilot ejected before the jet crashed. Iranian forces are reportedly conducting a search operation to find the pilot.
Images of debris from the downed aircraft that have surfaced on social media apparently show wreckage consistent with that of an F-15E Strike Eagle. This aircraft is designed for dual roles, capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
In the ongoing conflict with Iran, such jets are likely deployed in defensive operations to intercept Iranian drones and cruise missiles. In its strike role, the aircraft can utilize laser-guided and GPS-guided precision munitions, along with additional bombs.
The F-15E is typically operated by a two-member crew — a pilot in the front seat and a Weapons Systems Officer in the rear seat, who is responsible for target selection and programming weapons for specific attack profiles.
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In a separate development, Pakistan-led ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran have reportedly reached an impasse. According to mediators, the current diplomatic efforts spearheaded by regional nations, led by Pakistan, to negotiate a ceasefire between the two countries have hit a snag. Iran is reportedly unwilling to meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days, deeming Washington’s demands unacceptable. This situation signifies a setback for regional mediation attempts to stimulate direct talks between Tehran and Washington to resolve the ongoing conflict, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The reason for the aircraft being shot down remains uncertain. Reportedly, if the jet was indeed brought down by Iranian forces, a surface-to-air missile is likely the culprit. Additionally, short-range infra-red guided MANPAD systems pose a serious threat due to their mobility.
Meanwhile, the governor of Iran’s Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province emphasized the priority of rescuing any downed US crew alive, while reports suggest that local traders are offering a reward of 10 billion tomans, roughly £50,000, for information regarding the American pilot.
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
First Published: Apr 3, 2026 10:00 PM IST
