A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over southern Iran on Friday, marking the first confirmed loss of an American combat aircraft to enemy fire in the ongoing conflict. The two-seat aircraft, operated by the 494th Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, carried a pilot and a weapons systems officer.

Both crew members ejected safely from the jet, which was struck by Iranian anti-aircraft fire. U.S. special forces located and rescued one crew member alive on Iranian territory, according to multiple U.S. sources. A search and rescue operation continues for the second crew member, who is believed to be alive. The effort involves HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters, C-130 Hercules aircraft, and reconnaissance drones operating in the area.

Iranian state media first reported the downing, releasing photographs of wreckage including a wingtip, vertical stabilizer, and ejection seat, which experts verified as consistent with an F-15E. Tehran initially claimed it was an F-35 stealth fighter, but later aligned with the F-15 identification. Iranian outlets also published videos purporting to show U.S. rescue aircraft over Khuzestan province and urged civilians to capture any downed pilots for rewards worth around £50,000.

The incident occurred amid a five-week war that began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets. The U.S. has conducted strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including a bridge near Tehran that killed at least eight people. Iran has retaliated by attacking energy facilities in Gulf states like Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil shipments. Prior U.S. losses included three F-15Es downed by friendly fire in Kuwait and damage to an F-35, with 13 American service members killed overall.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump has been briefed on the incident. Trump recently warned Iran of further strikes on bridges and power plants, posting on social media that the U.S. military "hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the threats, referencing a return to the "Stone Age." An Israeli official noted that Israel paused planned strikes to avoid hindering the U.S. rescue.

The Downing highlights persistent risks from Iran's air defenses despite U.S. claims of degradation. Rescue operations in hostile territory recall intense missions from the 1990s Balkan conflicts. As of midday Friday, no further updates on the second crew member were available, with U.S. forces racing against Iranian search parties.