Iran Announces Downing of American Fighter Jet and Washington Acknowledges It and Searches for Its Crew

SadaNews - Iranian reports indicate that Tehran shot down an American fighter jet of the F-35 model on Friday morning, with a high probability of capturing its pilot, while American officials have acknowledged this and announced that the military has launched a search and rescue operation for its crew before Iran reaches survivors.

According to the Tasnim agency, based on information obtained without disclosing the sources, the pilot managed to land in Iranian territory using the ejection seat parachute after the destruction of his advanced fighter jet.

According to the same sources, U.S. forces have begun intensive search operations to locate the pilot.

On another note, local media in the Kuhgiluyeh Province (the site where the plane crashed) reported that the United States attempted to carry out a rescue operation using a Black Hawk helicopter and a C-130 military transport plane; however, those attempts were unsuccessful.

In a related context, a social media account affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Intelligence posted images showing the site of the ejection seat and parachute.

The Iranian authorities have offered a financial reward to anyone who can capture the "American pilot or pilots," according to state television.

The correspondent for the local channel affiliated with state television stated, "Dear and honorable citizens in the Halveh and Bouyer Ahmad Province (in southwestern Iran), if you capture the enemy pilot or pilots and hand them over to the police or military forces, you will receive a valuable reward."

No official statement has been issued by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) regarding the plane that Iran announced it shot down as of Friday afternoon.