Iran Shoots Down US Fighter Jet, Search Underway for Crew as State TV Puts Bounty on Pilots

A U.S. fighter jet has been shot down by Iran, and a search is underway for the crew, a U.S. official confirmed after multiple reports and images about the incident.

Axios first reported on Thursday that a search is underway for two U.S. service members aboard the jet. Iran media reportedly posted images of the alleged downed aircraft, possibly an F-15 fighter jet, on Friday. Axios cited one person familiar with the situation, and Reuters later confirmed the reporting through a U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

At least 13 U.S. service members have died since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, killing much of the country’s high-ranking government officials, including the supreme leader.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other officials have repeatedly claimed the U.S. has control over Iran’s airspace. Hegseth said last month that the U.S. had “complete control” of Iran’s airspace.

Iran, meanwhile, is reportedly offering a “valuable reward” for the capture of the fighter jet pilots. CNN aired footage of pieces shown by Iranian media that were allegedly from the aircraft.

In a Truth Social post on Friday, President Donald Trump vowed to target bridges and power plants in Iran next. The war has also led to the Strait of Hormuz being controlled by Iranian forces, who have reportedly been charging tolls and attacking cargo ships. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply runs through the strait.

“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump wrote.

In an address this week, he also claimed the war would be wrapped up in a matter of weeks.

“Thanks to the progress we’ve made, I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly, very shortly,” he said. “We’re going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages [sic], where they belong.”

Watch above via CNN.

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