U.S. Fighter Jet Shot Down In Iran, One Of Two Crew Members Rescued

An American fighter jet was shot down in Iran today. The two F-15E Strike Eagle crew members ejected safely after being struck by Iranian fire

A search-and-rescue operation has recovered one of the two downed crew members.

Breaking news: One crew member has been rescued after a U.S. fighter jet crashed in Iran, officials say, with an intense search underway for the second crew member.

This is a developing story. Read more here: https://t.co/QUfOLdsjCY

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) April 3, 2026

From the Washington Post:

The rescued crew member is safe in U.S. custody, though their condition is unclear, and an intense effort is underway to recover the second crew member, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation.

The operation marks the most perilous moment yet for U.S. troops in the month-long Iran war, putting the missing crew member and rescuers more directly in the line of enemy fire.

It is the first known instance of a crewed American aircraft being brought down by enemy fire inside hostile territory since the conflict began.

Friday’s incident appears to belie Trump’s frequent claims that U.S. aircraft are “roaming” the skies over Iran unimpeded.

In his speech Wednesday night, the president said, “They have no anti-aircraft equipment. Their radar is 100 percent annihilated. We are unstoppable as a military force.”

Read more here.

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇷One of two crew members of a U.S. fighter jet that was shot down over Iran was located and rescued by U.S. special forces and the search for the second is ongoing, per Israeli official and a source with knowledge. My report on @axios https://t.co/8CR6n5WqJA

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 3, 2026