Update - 12:22 PM Eastern:
CBS News has reported that one of the crew members has been rescued after his F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran. They cite two U.S. officials and indicate search-and-rescue operations are still underway for the second crew member.
🚨ONE CREW MEMBER RESCUED - CBS NEWS pic.twitter.com/kNaVrJGvLY
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 3, 2026
Original Story:
Tensions hit dangerous new heights between the United States and Iran on Friday, after the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) claimed air defenses shot down an American fighter. The news triggered an urgent American combat search-and-rescue operation for the two ejected crew members, while Tehran placed a bounty on their heads.
Iranian state media released images of the alleged wreckage from the aftermath of what appears to be an Air Force F-15E fighter being shot down. The images showed an ejection seat, prompting hope that the pilot had escaped before the crash.
Tehran's Press TV reports that "newly developed and advanced air defenses" had shot down the fighter jet in central Iran, claiming it "was completely destroyed and crashed."
A McDonnell-Douglas ACES II (Advanced Concept Ejection Seat) from a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle has been found by residents in Southern Iran, the whereabouts or status of the pilot and weapons officer is currently unknown, with unconfirmed reports that one or both of the… pic.twitter.com/V0KMonfQiv
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026
Report: Our 'Ally' France Just Made Another Incredible Move Regarding the Strait of Hormuz
Two sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that the fighter jet was downed, according to Axios, and that an urgent search-and-rescue operation is underway.
Meanwhile, Iran's state television has openly urged civilians in the area to hunt down the American airmen, placing a bounty on the pilot and his crew. An anchor told residents to hand over any “enemy pilot” to the police with the promise of a "precious prize" if they do so.
“Those who succeed in capturing or killing hostile enemy forces will be specially commended by the Governor’s office," the governor of Iran's southern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said, according to the BBC.
The call for civilians to hunt down American airmen with cash rewards underscores the barbaric nature of the Iranian regime.
BREAKING: Iranian authorities have announced a 10 billion toman reward, ~$60,000, for information leading to the capture of the American F-15E aircrew reportedly downed in Iran - BBC
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 3, 2026
The location of the downed jet itself is cause for alarm. Having a mob of civilians trying to claim a bounty on the crew makes the rescue operation even more urgent.
Videos posted on X allegedly show US aircraft flying low and sweeping the area in an effort to locate the pilots.
🚨 BREAKING: For the first time since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, Iran has SHOT DOWN an American fighter jet
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 3, 2026
USAF Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) teams are currently looking for TWO F-15 pilots in Iran.
Their statuses are unknown. Pray for these pilots 🙏🏻🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9sXW5Ks4iB
While Iran's state media has previously made fraudulent claims of taking down American aircraft, the New York Times reports that officials from both the U.S. and Israel have confirmed that an F-15E was shot down.
At the time of publication, there has not been any detailed on-the-record official statement from the Pentagon, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), or the White House directly confirming or elaborating on the incident.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, though, tells CNN that President Trump has been briefed on the situation.
RedState will provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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