The information was shared with The New York Times by a senior U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity.
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: A U.S. official has confirmed that Iran shot down a fighter jet, and efforts are ongoing to locate the pilot.
The information was shared with The New York Times by a senior U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to sources, U.S. helicopters and low-flying aircraft are conducting search operations over Iranian territory to rescue the pilot.
The official noted that a search-and-rescue mission was launched immediately after the aircraft went down, and the pilot reportedly ejected from the plane, though no trace has been found so far.
The New York Times report highlighted that the U.S. government has not yet formally confirmed or denied the destruction of the F-35 fighter jet.
Wild footage from a USAF C-130 fueling two helicopters over Iran shared by telegram channels. The cars & the dialect are Iranian and from southwest. pic.twitter.com/K9cufOOY26
— Ramin Khanizadeh (@RKhanizadeh) April 3, 2026
Meanwhile, Iranian news agency Tasnim News Agency released images of the wreckage and confirmed ongoing U.S. search efforts.
Local Iranian media claimed that Iranian forces have captured the U.S. pilot, though this report has not been independently verified.
