Iran claims to have downed a US fighter jet this morning, showing photos of wreckage on as proof. The pilot was said to have ejected, but there’s no confirmed reports on if the pilot has been captured by Iran or recovered by the US.
There are, however, unconfirmed reports that the pilot was captured via this Iranian outlet:
Iranian Forces Capture F-35 Pilot After Downing Advanced US Warplane
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Iranian security forces have taken into custody the pilot of a US F-35 fighter jet following its destruction by the country's air defense system inside Iranian territory. https://t.co/PiQDh7xoo9 pic.twitter.com/FK4OGROOYi
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) April 3, 2026
Here’s more via CBS News:
There were unconfirmed reports of a U.S. search and rescue operation in the skies over Iran on Friday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed it shot down a U.S. F-35 fighter jet over the middle of the country.
The U.S. military had not replied to a CBS News’ request for information on the alleged incident hours after it was submitted.
Axios reported that a “source familiar with the incident” had confirmed the shootdown and an ongoing search for the plane’s two-member crew.
There were conflicting reports about whether it was an F-35 or an F-15 possible hit by Iran.
Photos and video were circulating on social media, shared by Iranian state news outlets, suggesting at least one U.S. C-130 aircraft and an Apache attack helicopter were spotted flying low over central and southwest Iran in what was described as a possible effort to locate and recover an American pilot who ejected after being hit.
The U.S. has lost at least 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones over Iran since the war began, and three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in a “friendly fire incident” early in the conflict, but there were no casualties.
I hope the US is able to find the pilot before he’s captured. Because there’s no doubt that this pilot would be exploited as a huge point of leverage against the US. Either way, pray for this pilot that the one true living God will protect him on this Good Friday.