US confirms fighter jet shot down over Iran; search under way for crew

WASHIGNTON:  The US has confirmed that a fighter jet has been shot down over Iran on Friday in the most serious loss of American military hardware in the month-long conflict between Tehran and Washington and Israel.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a fighter aircraft was downed over Iranian territory and that a search and rescue operation was under way to locate any surviving crew members.

Details on the type of aircraft and how it was brought down were not immediately released, Reuters said.

The incident marks a significant escalation in hostilities that have widened across the region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and state media have claimed responsibility for shooting down the jet, saying air defence systems successfully targeted the aircraft, though the U.S. has not yet publicly confirmed Tehran’s account.

The downing comes amid a broader campaign of strikes and counter-strikes. Iran has retained a substantial portion of its missile launchers and a large fleet of drones despite sustained U.S. and allied efforts to degrade its arsenal, according to military assessments shared on social media and by analysts.

The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli air attacks on Iranian targets, has seen Iranian retaliatory strikes against U.S. forces and infrastructure across the Gulf, and damage to facilities in neighbouring countries. Regional tensions have also disrupted key shipping routes and raised global energy concerns.

Earlier in the conflict, U.S. Central Command denied Iranian claims that it had shot down a U.S. fighter jet near the Strait of Hormuz, saying all U.S. aircraft were accounted for and dismissing Tehran’s assertions as false.

The situation remains fluid, with Pentagon officials yet to issue a formal statement on Friday’s loss. The outcome of the search for the jet’s crew and further military developments are expected to shape diplomatic and security responses in the coming days.