Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the United States reportedly suffered another setback after the Iranian IRGC claimed to have shot down a U.S. rescue aircraft. This follows the recent crash of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet in Iran, in which one pilot went missing. President Trump had earlier confirmed that U.S. forces successfully rescued the pilot.
According to Iran, the aircraft involved in the rescue operation, identified as a U.S. Air Force C-130, was destroyed by IRGC forces in the southern region of Isfahan. Qatar-based media reported that the Faraj Rangers, a police commando unit, carried out the strike, and that the C-130 was being used to refuel other fighter jets. Details about the personnel on board remain unclear.
The United States has not officially responded to the reported attack. Earlier, U.S. forces had intervened after the F-15E Strike Eagle crash and successfully recovered the missing pilot, with President Trump confirming that the pilot was safe and in the custody of American forces. Several aircraft had reportedly been deployed for the operation.
While Iran’s claim has heightened regional tensions, U.S. military sources have yet to verify the C-130 incident. Analysts and defense experts are closely monitoring developments, noting that such incidents could escalate the already fragile security situation in West Asia.