US fighter jet hit, pilot missing; both US and Iran launch search efforts
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on the 3rd that they shot down a U.S. military fighter jet within Iranian territory. U.S. officials later confirmed that a U.S. F-15E "Strike Eagle" dual-seat fighter jet crashed in Iran, with one pilot rescued and another currently missing. The U.S. and Iran continued the search for the missing pilot on the 4th. There has been no breakthrough progress so far.
According to multiple sources on the 4th, the U.S. is still conducting search and rescue operations for the U.S. pilot in Iran. Meanwhile, Iran is also carrying out operations to capture the pilot. Additionally, reports from the UK on the 4th indicated that U.S. special forces entered Iranian territory on the night of the 3rd to conduct rescue operations, but the UK did not provide a source for this information, and it has not been confirmed by the U.S.
According to multiple sources on the 4th, a spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces' Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that April 3 should be referred to as the "Black Shame Friday" for the U.S. and Israel, as the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps successfully shot down an advanced U.S. fighter jet, three drones, and two cruise missiles, and also hit a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft with their new air defense system.
Furthermore, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on the 4th that tribal personnel in the Iranian mountains hit two "Black Hawk" helicopters that were attempting to rescue the U.S. pilot. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps expressed gratitude for this.
Regarding the U.S. military's search and rescue operations, a retired U.S. special forces member stated that any attempt to rescue the missing U.S. F-15E crew members would be very dangerous and complex, and the act of sending military aircraft into Iranian territory is inherently very risky, with incidents of Iranians firing at low-flying U.S. helicopters likely to increase.
On April 3, 2023, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down a U.S. F-15E fighter jet in Iran. One pilot was rescued, while another remains missing, prompting ongoing search operations by both U.S. and Iranian forces. Reports indicate that U.S. special forces may have entered Iran for rescue efforts, although this has not been confirmed.
- An F-15E fighter jet was shot down by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- One pilot was rescued while another is missing.
- U.S. and Iranian forces are conducting search operations for the missing pilot.
- U.S. special forces reportedly entered Iran for rescue operations, though this is unconfirmed.
- Iranian forces have engaged helicopters attempting to rescue the pilot.