Tehran claims downing of F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt II; IRGC offers reward for capture of American pilots; Trump says incident ‘will not affect’ negotiations.

By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN -  Iranian air defenses shot down two US military aircraft on Friday -- an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet and an A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack plane -- in a major escalation of the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran, according to multiple US and Iranian officials.

One US service member has been rescued and is receiving medical treatment, but a second crew member from the downed F-15E remains missing as search-and-rescue operations continue inside Iranian territory. Israeli forces are providing intelligence assistance, though not ground-level support, according to a source familiar with the mission.

The White House confirmed President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation. When asked by NBC News whether the downing would affect potential negotiations with Iran, Trump replied: “No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war”.

The first incident involved an F-15E Strike Eagle, a dual-role fighter jet operated by a two-person crew -- a pilot and a weapons systems officer. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB first reported early Friday that the jet had been targeted over Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later claimed responsibility, asserting that its air defense systems had brought down the aircraft.

CNN, citing three sources familiar with the situation, confirmed that one crew member has been recovered alive and is in US custody, receiving medical treatment. The fate of the second crew member remains unknown, with officials listing the individual as “missing”.

The second incident involved an A-10 Thunderbolt II—commonly known as the “Warthog” -- a specialized ground-attack aircraft designed for close air support missions against armored vehicles and ground forces. According to US officials cited by The New York Times, the A-10 crashed near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time as the F-15E engagement. The lone pilot was rescued.

Iran’s military department confirmed the A-10 downing, stating that the “aircraft was targeted in waters south of and around the strategic waterway”.

- Black Hawks Struck During Rescue Mission

The confrontation did not end with the downing of the two fixed-wing aircraft. As US forces launched search-and-rescue operations inside Iran to recover the missing F-15E crew member, Iranian forces struck two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting the mission, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Minor injuries among service members from that strike were reported, though all have been confirmed safe. Both helicopters were hit but managed to return to base. It remains unclear whether the aircraft was shot down by Iranian fire or sustained damage from other means.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency claimed that the US rescue mission had failed, posting a video to its Telegram channel alleging that “American efforts have been futile”. The agency also published footage purporting to show a US C-130 Hercules transport aircraft involved in the operation.

- Iranian Bounty and Civilian Mobilization

In a dramatic propaganda move, Iranian state television issued a public appeal offering a “valuable reward” or “precious prize” to any citizen who captures an American pilot alive.

“Anyone who captures the US pilot alive will receive a valuable reward,” a local Iranian television anchor announced. An on-screen crawl accompanying the broadcast urged viewers to “shoot them if you see them”.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported that large numbers of people had gathered near the reported crash site in southwestern Iran, some traveling in private cars in an attempt to reach the area. However, Iranian armed forces also issued a warning to civilians, urging restraint and instructing them not to mistreat any captured pilot.

Iranian media circulated photographs of debris from the downed F-15E, including a tail fin bearing the markings of the 494th Fighter Squadron -- identified by the tail code “LN”—based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.

CNN geolocated footage from a bridge over the Karoon River in Khuzestan Province, approximately 470 kilometers south of Tehran, showing low-flying US aircraft and helicopters in a formation typical of air-to-air refueling operations.

The wreckage markings confirm that this is the first US crewed aircraft to be shot down inside hostile territory during Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) initially dismissed earlier Iranian claims of downed aircraft. On Friday morning, before the F-15E loss was confirmed, CENTCOM posted on social media: “FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran’s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times”.

However, as reports from multiple US officials and news outlets -- including ABC News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times -- confirmed the losses, the Pentagon notified the House Armed Services Committee of the situation. According to a congressional aide, the committee was briefed that an F-15 had been shot down and one service member had been recovered.

The Pentagon has not yet released an official public statement confirming the losses or providing details on the missing crew member.

- Casualties Mount as War Continues

According to Pentagon data available online as of Friday, 13 US service members have been killed in action since the start of Operation Epic Fury, with 247 wounded -- including 200 mid-to-senior enlisted personnel, 85 officers, and 80 junior enlisted service members.

The downing of the F-15E and A-10 marks the first loss of US crewed aircraft in the conflict, significantly raising the stakes for both sides.

Iran has also sustained heavy damage from US and Israeli strikes, with Iranian officials reporting over 1,340 civilians killed -- including more than 170 children -- and widespread destruction of energy infrastructure.

- Trump’s Response and Diplomatic Implications

Despite the military escalation, Trump sought to downplay the impact on diplomatic efforts. Speaking briefly to NBC News, he refused to elaborate on search-and-rescue details, expressing dissatisfaction with media coverage of what he called a “complex and active military operation” .

However, diplomatic efforts appear to be faltering. According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran has formally informed mediators that it is not prepared to participate in scheduled talks with the United States in Islamabad. Iranian news agency Fars also reported that Tehran had rejected a US-proposed 48-hour ceasefire, citing an unnamed source.

The reported collapse of diplomatic timelines stands in contrast to Pakistan’s repeated assurances that both Washington and Tehran have expressed confidence in Islamabad’s facilitation role.

With one US service member still missing inside Iran, and Iranian civilians actively searching for the pilot in hopes of claiming a bounty, the coming hours will be critical. US search-and-rescue teams continue to operate inside Iranian territory, facing the risk of further engagement with Iranian forces.

Military analysts note that the loss of two aircraft in a single day, along with damage to two rescue helicopters, represents a significant tactical setback for the US and may complicate any future military operations in Iranian airspace.

Trump’s insistence that the downing “will not affect” negotiations may be tested in the coming days, as Iran appears to have hardened its position. Whether the missing crew member is recovered, or captured, could determine the next phase of the conflict.