A US fighter jet has reportedly been shot down over Iran, with a search-and-rescue operation under way for the crew, according to US officials and media reports.
The The New York Times, citing American and Israeli officials, said the aircraft was downed — marking the first known US aviation loss since the outbreak of conflict involving the United States of America and Israel against Iran on 28 February.
Search for survivors
The The Wall Street Journal and Axios reported that US forces have launched a rescue mission to locate the crew.
A US official told Reuters that the jet had indeed been shot down over Iran, adding that efforts are ongoing to find any survivors. The Pentagon and United States Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier, Tehran said its forces had brought down a US warplane, with state media broadcasting images of wreckage it claimed belonged to the aircraft.
Reward for 'enemy pilot'
Iranian police announced a reward for the capture of the pilots, urging the public to assist security forces. According to Iranian state television, the aircraft was hit over central Iran before crashing in the southwestern province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.
In a televised statement, police said: “If you capture the enemy pilots alive and hand them over… you will receive a generous reward.”
Local authorities echoed the call, with the provincial governor reportedly offering a “special reward” for anyone who captures or kills the crew, according to the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency.
Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had shot down an F-35 Lightning II using a new advanced air defence system.