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Iran Claims 2nd F-35 Shot Down, US Pilot Search Fails & Capture Likely

Iranian media reports that a second U.S. F-35 fighter jet has been shot down over central Iran by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). Following the incident, U.S. forces launched a search operation using Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 aircraft to recover the pilot who ejected, but the effort was unsuccessful. The Tasnim News Agency reports indications that the pilot has likely been captured by Iranian military forces. This development occurs amid heightened regional tensions following a series of retaliatory strikes between Iran, its allies, and the U.S. and Israel.

Key Points: Iran: US F-35 Shot Down, Pilot Captured After Failed Recovery

  • Iran claims 2nd US F-35 destroyed
  • US search for pilot fails
  • Pilot likely captured by Iran
  • Operation involved Black Hawks, C-130
  • Tensions high after US-Israeli strikes
2 min read

US efforts to recover downed F-35 fighter pilot fail: Iranian media

Iranian media reports a second US F-35 fighter jet destroyed and its pilot likely captured after a failed US search operation with helicopters.

"their efforts have so far been futile - Tasnim News Agency"

Tehran, April 3

Shortly after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps announced Friday that a second US F-35 fighter jet has been destroyed in the skies of central Iran by the "new advanced defence system" of its Aerospace Force, country's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that that the US forces are conducting a search operation to recover the pilot who had ejected the fighter jet.

"Sources told Tasnim's correspondent in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in western Iran on Friday that US forces had been conducting a search operation since earlier today to recover the pilot of their fighter jet, which was shot down by Iran's Armed Forces. The operation involved Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft; however, their efforts have so far been futile," the agency reported.

The report mentioned that, following the destruction of the advanced American fighter jet, the pilot had ejected and landed inside the country.

Earlier in the day, the IRGC announced that the doomed fighter jet belonged to the Lakenheath squadron.

The IRGC noted that the intruding fighter jet has been completely destroyed and has crashed.

Citing reports, Tasnim reported that the US pilot has been captured by Iranian military forces.

"The correspondent added that there are indications the Americans, believing the pilot might be alive, attempted to extract him from Iran's borders. However, some sources say the pilot has likely been captured by Iranian forces," the report mentioned.

Last week, the IRGC had claimed that its air defence had struck a US F-16 Fighting Falcon and an MQ-9 Reaper drone in the country's southern airspace.

Making the announcement in a statement on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said the US fighter jet and drone were hit during joint retaliatory missile and drone operations by its Navy and Aerospace Division against heavy industries belonging to the United States and Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

The development came amid heightened tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The report says the pilot ejected inside Iran. If captured, he must be treated humanely according to international conventions. No matter the politics, a soldier's life matters. 🙏 Hoping for a diplomatic resolution.
R
Rohit P
Second F-35 in a week? Either Iranian air defense is much more advanced than everyone thought, or there's more to this story. The US doesn't just lose its most advanced jets so easily. Makes you think.
S
Sarah B
From an Indian strategic perspective, this is a worrying development. Any major conflict between US and Iran directly impacts our energy security and the safety of our diaspora in the Gulf. Our diplomacy needs to be proactive.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, we should be cautious about taking Iranian media reports at face value. They have a history of propaganda. Let's wait for confirmation from neutral sources or the US itself. The truth often lies somewhere in the middle.
K
Karthik V
The timing is everything. With elections coming up in many countries, including the US, such incidents can be used for domestic political gain. Hope cool heads prevail. We don't need another war.

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