Following the downing of a US warplane in Iranian airspace, both the United States and Iran have intensified efforts to locate a missing crew member. While US forces have launched a dedicated rescue mission, Iranian security agencies are also searching for the pilot, according to state media reports.

According to US media sources, an F-15 fighter jet crashed while conducting a patrol in southern Iran. One crew member was successfully rescued, but the second remains missing. US special recovery teams are actively engaged in search and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that it shot down another US aircraft—an A-10 Thunderbolt II—in the Persian Gulf region. However, there has been no official confirmation from the US regarding this claim.

Reports further indicate that during the rescue mission for the first downed aircraft, an A-10 came under fire near the Strait of Hormuz. The pilot of that aircraft managed to eject safely and was later rescued.

Explosions continue to be reported across multiple regions in the Middle East, including Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israeli strikes have destroyed nearly 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity.

According to the Pentagon, a total of 365 US military personnel have been injured since the beginning of operations in Iran. Among them are 247 Army personnel, 63 Navy members, 19 Marines, and 36 Air Force members. Additionally, 13 US troops have been killed in the conflict so far.

Footage verified from the Khuzestan province in southern Iran shows US aircraft and helicopters conducting search operations near the Karun River. The visuals highlight the intensity and complexity of the rescue mission.

US sources report that one rescue helicopter sustained damage from small arms fire during the operation, injuring several personnel. However, it was able to land safely.

The US Air Force’s special rescue units typically deploy Black Hawk helicopters and may use AC-130 gunships for such missions, enabling personnel to conduct ground-level extractions when necessary.

Experts note that these missions are extremely high-risk, involving rapid communication with the missing pilot, immediate medical assistance, and evasion of enemy forces. These elite rescuers are often referred to as the “Swiss Army knife” of the Air Force.

US President Donald Trump stated that the incident will not impact ongoing discussions with Iran. However, analysts believe the latest developments could further complicate the already volatile situation in the Middle East.