Iran says it downed American fighter jet, U.S. reportedly mounting rescue operation to find crew

Iran claimed to have shot down an American fighter jet Friday and asked for the Iranian public’s help to find the crew, while U.S. forces have reportedly mounted a rescue operation to find the personnel before they’re captured.

U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Washington Times. But Reuters, citing an unnamed U.S. official, reported that a search-and-rescue operation was under way in Iran to find the crew. 

A local channel of Iranian state television said the pilot of the aircraft ejected over southwestern Iran.

If the claims are true, it would be a potentially game-changing event in the U.S. war against Iran, which is now in its second month. A search-and-rescue operation in Iran could open the door to more U.S. casualties, while the capture of an American service member by the Iranian government would immediately change dynamics both on the ground in the Mideast and in Washington.

The anchor on the Iranian state media channel read the following announcement on Friday: “If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police, you will receive a precious prize.”

An on-screen crawl separately urged the public to “shoot them if you see them,” referring to social media footage circulating of what appeared to be U.S. aircraft in the area. 

The channel provided no other immediate details.

 • This article is based in part on wire-service reports

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• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.