The United States has reportedly suffered a significant setback in the ongoing conflict, with Iran claiming it has shot down advanced American fighter jets. Iranian media stated that a US warplane was brought down in the southwestern region of the country, marking a serious escalation in tensions between the two nations.
According to initial reports, the pilot of the downed aircraft managed to eject safely using a parachute. Iranian military forces, along with civilians, have launched a large-scale search operation to locate and capture the pilot. Authorities have reportedly instructed that the pilot be taken alive.
🚨🚨Iran "Hunts" for U.S. Fighter Pilot SHOT DOWN by AD Missiles: Fars News Agency
Iran has claimed shooting down a US F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft in the Central part of the country.
However, experts believe that the downed aircraft is "clearly an F-15E".
Fars news… pic.twitter.com/2HhtGN0JpP
— EurAsian Times (@THEEURASIATIMES) April 3, 2026
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB aired detailed coverage of the incident, announcing a reward for anyone who captures the “enemy pilot” and hands him over to security forces. Reports indicate that hundreds of civilians are heading toward the crash site in private vehicles to assist in the search. At the same time, Iran’s armed forces have appealed to the public not to harm the pilot.
Iranian media outlets, including Tasnim News Agency, claimed that two advanced US aircraft were shot down during the conflict. These reportedly include an F-35 stealth fighter jet targeted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over central Iran, and an F-15E Strike Eagle allegedly operating from the UK’s RAF Lakenheath. Iran has also released images it claims are from the wreckage of the aircraft.
However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has strongly denied these allegations, dismissing them as false and reiterating that all American aircraft are accounted for. Officials noted that Iran has made similar claims in the past. While there has been no formal statement from the Pentagon or the White House so far, analysts warn that if confirmed, such incidents could significantly escalate the conflict into a broader war.