A US pilot remains missing after an F-15E jet was shot down by Iran. Both the US and Iran are carrying out search and rescue operations to locate the pilot.
The United States military pressed ahead with an urgent search on Saturday for a missing American pilot after an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian forces a day earlier.
One of the two crew members on board the fighter jet remains missing in southwestern Iran. US forces have launched what officials describe as a “frantic” operation to locate the pilot, according to The Associated Press. The second crew member was rescued soon after the crash and is now receiving medical care.
What Happened To Missing US Pilot?
Iranian state media claimed on Friday that it had shot down an American warplane over central Iran. Several US media outlets later confirmed that the aircraft was indeed brought down by Iranian forces. The aircraft was identified as an F-15E Strike Eagle, a two-seat fighter used for both air combat and ground attacks.
Reports from The New York Times stated both the United States and Iran are searching for the missing pilot. Iranian media has urged local residents to help find what it called the “enemy pilot.”
The NYT also reported that Israel paused its attacks in the area where the pilot is believed to be missing. Israeli forces are now sharing intelligence with the United States to help locate the pilot before Iranian forces reach him.
US President Donald Trump recently announced a strike on an Iranian highway bridge near Tehran. He warned that “much more” action could follow and said the United States would strike Iran “extremely hard” if needed.
Despite the escalation, Trump said the incident would not affect ongoing diplomatic efforts. In an interview with NBC News, he said talks were still possible and added that the United States would “complete” its objectives soon. He also posted on social media urging Iran to “MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Iran rejected the possibility of talks under current conditions. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said negotiations cannot move forward amid ongoing military pressure, according to The New York Times.
At the same time, another US aircraft incident added to the tension. An A-10 Warthog crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Its pilot was safely rescued, though details about the crash remain unclear.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a strong and advanced aircraft built in the 1980s. It has two crew members on board.
The jet can battle in the air and also attack targets on the ground. It can fly very fast, up to about 1,875 miles per hour, and cover long distances without stopping for fuel.
Newer versions of this aircraft can cost close to $100 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.
