United States forces have rescued one of the two crew members of an F-15E fighter jet that was reportedly shot down by Iran on Friday, April 3, as a search continues for the others, CBS News quoted two US officials as saying. According to reports, Israel is assisting the US in a search and rescue operation for the crew member.
Earlier, the Iranian regime urged people living in the area to search for the crew members as it shared images of the downed warplane on state television screens.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that President Donald Trump had been briefed but did not provide any further information.
It is the first time in the month-long war with Iran that the US has lost a fighter jet, sparking speculation of a dramatic escalation in the US-Israeli-Iranian conflict.
Some footage on social media showed US forces hovering over a mountainous area where at least one crew member had ejected from the fighter jet.
Meanwhile, the TV presenter also called on residents of the region to look for the “enemy pilot” and hand him over to the police. He also promised a reward to anyone who did so. Authorities also urged civilians to search for the crew member in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they were combing the area near where the plane crashed in southwest Iran.
The regional governor also promised a reward for anyone who captures or kills the pilot.
Up to 5,000 people have been killed in the US-Israeli-Iranian conflict that began on February 28. Just over 1,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, where Israel is waging a parallel war against Iran-linked Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, days after the Revolutionary Guards threatened to target American universities in West Asia, the US embassy in Lebanon issued a similar warning.
“Iran and its associated terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon,” the security alert said, AFP reported.
Earlier in the day, the UAE suspended operations at its largest natural gas processing facility, Habshan. The call to suspend the operation was received after debris from the intercepted projectile started a fire.
Just a few hours later, a drone attack set fire to Kuwait’s 346,000-barrel-per-day Mina Al Ahmadi oil refinery. Damage to a power plant and water desalination plant was also reported after the attack. Also, Saudi Arabia intercepted several drones today.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that the current round of efforts by some countries to reach a cease-fire agreement “has reached an impasse.”
