TEHRAN: Iran’s military on Sunday claimed it had shot down three United States aircraft involved in a search-and-rescue mission for a crew member of a downed American fighter jet F-15E, escalating already heightened tensions between the two countries.
According to AFP quoting Iran’s central military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, the aircraft targeted included two Black Hawk helicopter and one Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The command alleged that the aircraft were struck while operating over southern Isfahan and were left “burning” following the attack.
Iranian officials further claimed that the US-led rescue effort had “failed”, contradicting statements from Donald Trump, who earlier announced that the missing crew member had been successfully located and was “safe and sound”.
The incident stems from an ongoing search operation launched after a US F-15E Strike Eagle went down earlier this week. Both Iranian and US forces had been racing since Friday to locate a second crew member believed to be missing following the crash.
Iranian state media broadcast images purportedly showing charred debris scattered across a desert landscape, with smoke still rising from the wreckage. However, there has been no independent verification of these claims.
Reports from Iranian media also indicated that at least five people were killed during strikes in southwestern Iran linked to the rescue operation. It remains unclear whether the casualties were civilians or military personnel.
In an unusual development, local residents were reportedly mobilised to assist in the search for the missing pilot. Footage aired by Iranian outlets showed individuals carrying flags and weapons while combing remote areas, after authorities announced financial rewards for information.
The conflicting narratives from Tehran and Washington highlight the fog of war surrounding the incident, with both sides offering sharply differing accounts of the outcome. The situation underscores the growing volatility in the region following ongoing military confrontations.
