The United States forces have rescued one of the two crew members of the F-15E fighter jet that was reportedly shot down by Iran on Friday, April 3, as search for another is underway, CBS News cited two US officials as saying. According to the reports, Israel is helping the US with search and rescue operation of the crew member.
Earlier, the Iranian regime had urged people living in the area to look for the crew members as it shared pictures of a downed fighter jet on state television screens.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that President Donald Trump had been briefed but did not offer any additional information.
This is the first time in the month-long war with Iran that the US has lost a fighter jet, raising speculation of a dramatic escalation in the conflict between US-Israel and Iran.
Some social media footage showed American forces hovering over the mountainous region where at least one crew member ejected out of the fighter jet.
Meanwhile, a TV anchor also urged the residents of the region to look for the “enemy pilot” and hand him over to the police. He also promised reward to anyone who did. The authorities also urged the civilians to search for the crew member in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing an area near where the plane came down in southwestern Iran.
The regional governor also promised a commendation for anyone who captured or killed the pilot.
As many as 5,000 people have been killed in the US-Israel and Iran conflict which started on February 28. Just over 1,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, where Israel is fighting a parallel war against Iran-allied Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, days after the revolutionary guards threatened to target US universities in West Asia, the US embassy in Lebanon has sent out a similar alert.
"Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon," said a security alert, 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 taken after debris from an intercepted projectile sparked a fire.
Just a few hours later, a drone attack set ablaze Kuwait’s Mina Al Ahmadi oil refinery, with a capacity of 346,000 barrels a day. Damage was also reported at a power and water desalination plant following an attack. Saudi Arabia, too, has intercepted multiple drones today.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal has reported that the current round of efforts by some countries to reach a ceasefire deal has “reached a dead end”.
