Iran has shot down a U.S. fighter jet, per Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, and a search and rescue effort is underway to locate two crew, Axios reports.
It would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a U.S. jet was downed by enemy fire.
The U.S. military and the White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
On Friday, Iranian state media published pictures and videos that allegedly show parts of the downed plane and one of the ejection seats.
The photos and videos suggest it is an F-15 fighter jet.
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16:29
A reward will be given to the person who captures the American pilot alive, Iranian state television announced, APA reports.
According to the statement, the police department of the Kohgiluyeh region has promised a reward to those who assist in capturing the pilot or pilots of a US fighter jet shot down in Iranian airspace.
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15:24
The pilot of a US F-35 fighter jet shot down in Iranian airspace has ejected, Tasnim reports.
According to the information, Iranian forces are believed to have captured the pilot.
It is noted that US military transport aircraft and helicopters are conducting search operations, considering the possibility that the pilot survived.
There is no official confirmation on the matter yet.
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14:10
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency says it has obtained images of a US fighter jet it says was shot down over central Iran by IRGC air defences.
The agency did not reiterate earlier claims that the aircraft may have been an F-35, but said the images show markings linking it to the US European Command.
It operates a range of aircraft, including F-35s, F-15s, F-22s and F-16s.
“The fighter jet belongs to the 48th Squadron of the US European Command, based at Lakenheath Air Base, England. The squadron has been deployed to the CENTCOM mission area for operations against Iran,” Tasnim said.
US officials have not commented.
