1 Crew Member Rescued, Another Missing After US Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Iran

The White House said the president was briefed as search-and-rescue efforts continue, though no formal U.S. confirmation of a downed jet has been issued.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. U.S. Central Command via DVIDS

Search-and-rescue efforts were underway in southern Iran on April 3 after an American fighter jet was shot down over Iranian airspace, with one crew member rescued and another still missing, senior Israeli security officials confirmed to Epoch Magazine Israel.

According to the Israeli officials, the United States dispatched search teams to the crash area, and so far, the teams have succeeded in rescuing one crew member, with the search for the second ongoing.