According to a report in Britain’s Daily Telegraph, US special forces entered Iran on Friday night to rescue a crew member of a downed fighter jet, officials said.
Iran shot down a US F-15 in its airspace, the first US fighter jet destroyed by enemy fire since the war began. Two crew members ejected, according to reports, prompting a race between Iranian and US forces to locate the stranded airmen.
One was rescued in an operation involving two US military helicopters and low-flying refueling aircraft, which came under fire from small arms.
Both helicopters were hit by Iranian fire, with one trailing smoke as it returned to Iraqi territory, but both landed safely, officials said.
The whereabouts of the second US airman were unknown as of Friday night. Iranian state media broadcast images of local militia members fanning out in a search operation.
The broadcasts offered a $60,000 bounty for his capture, as Iran claimed a propaganda victory in shooting down the US jet.
Separate reports late Friday said a US A-10 Warthog, a close air support aircraft, crashed near the Strait of Hormuz. US officials said the pilot was rescued.
First published: 06:25, 04.04.26