Iran Offers Reward for Capturing U.S. Fighter Pilot Downed Earlier
Xinhua News Agency, Tehran, April 3 - Iranian state media announced on the 3rd a reward for the capture of a U.S. fighter pilot who was reportedly shot down over Iran. The U.S. has not yet made an official response to this.
According to a report by the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, citing sources, earlier that day, a U.S. fighter jet was hit over Iran, and the pilot ejected from the cockpit, after which the U.S. attempted a rescue without success.
Additionally, the Associated Press reported that a local channel of Iranian state television broadcast the following statement that day: "If you capture the enemy pilot alive and hand him over to the police, there will be a generous reward." Furthermore, the scrolling text on the screen urged the public to "shoot them on sight," and provided images circulating on social media, allegedly showing U.S. aircraft in the area.
According to a report by The New York Times on the 3rd, citing U.S. officials, a U.S. military fighter jet was shot down within Iranian territory, and the whereabouts of the personnel on board are unknown. U.S. officials are urgently conducting search and rescue operations, trying to locate survivors before Iran does.
Iran announced a bounty for the capture of a U.S. fighter pilot who ejected from his aircraft after it was shot down over Iran on April 3, 2023. Iranian media urged citizens to shoot at the pilot if seen, while U.S. officials are conducting a search and rescue operation for the missing pilot.
- Iran announced a bounty for capturing a U.S. fighter pilot.
- The pilot ejected after the aircraft was hit over Iran.
- U.S. officials are conducting a search and rescue operation.
- Iranian media called for the public to shoot at the pilot if spotted.
- The U.S. has not officially responded to the incident.