Tehran (Monitoring Desk): Iran has claimed to have shot down a US fighter jet in its southwestern region, after which US forces reportedly launched an immediate operation to rescue the crew. According to reports, one personnel member has been safely evacuated, while the situation of others remains unclear.
Iranian media sources stated that US helicopters were seen flying within the country’s airspace. Videos circulating on social media appear to show Black Hawk helicopters and Combat King aircraft—typically used for military rescue operations—flying at low altitude.
Reports suggest these flights took place in southern Iran, near the Zagros mountain range, particularly around the city of Lordegan, where multiple helicopters were observed in the sky.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that a modern fighter jet was brought down using an advanced defense system. In a statement, it said the aircraft was completely destroyed, leaving no confirmed information about the pilot’s fate, although chances of survival are said to be low.
The IRGC also stated that this is the second incident of its kind involving such an aircraft. On the other hand, military experts have expressed doubts over images shared on social media, suggesting that the debris may belong to a different aircraft.
An Iranian news agency has further claimed that a US pilot was taken into custody after ejecting from the aircraft; however, this claim has not been independently verified.
