US Rescues Pilot After Fighter Jet Shot Down by Iran

Members of the United States military who went missing after Iran shot down a fighter jet have been rescued. The US deployed dozens of aircraft for the SAR operation.

This was announced by US President Donald Trump via a social media post, as reported by AP on Sunday (5/4/2026). The US has been intensively conducting search and rescue operations after the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed on Friday. Meanwhile, Iran has offered a reward to anyone who hands over the “enemy pilot.”

The second crew member had been rescued previously. In his post, Trump informed that the injured pilot’s condition “will be fine.” Trump added that the pilot had taken shelter “in the dangerous mountains of Iran.”

Trump further stated that the rescue involved “dozens of aircraft” and that the US had monitored his location “24 hours a day, and meticulously planned the rescue.”

Previously, Iran’s armed forces announced that its air defence forces had shot down at least two fighter jets, three drones, and two cruise missiles on Friday (3/4). Iran described it as a “dark day” for the US and Israeli air forces.

In a statement released on Saturday (4/4), the public relations wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detailed a series of successful interceptions across several Iranian provinces.

As reported by Iranian media Press TV on Saturday (4/4/2026), according to the statement, IRGC Air Defence Force aircraft successfully destroyed two cruise missiles over Khomein and Zanjan.

Additionally, two MQ-9 attack drones were shot down over Isfahan, and one Hermes drone was destroyed over Bushehr.