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The pilot of a downed US F-15E fighter jet is is in Iran's custody, according to claims by Iranian outlets that cited open-source information.
Citizens in Southern Iran found the ejection seat of the F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down by Iranian air defences. (Image: X/@sentdefender)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 3, 2026 18:20 IST
A US pilot has reportedly been taken into custody by Iranian military forces after a fighter jet, said to be an F-15E, was shot down by Iranian forces in southern Iran.
According to Tasnim News Agency and information based on open-source intelligence, the fighter jet was downed by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) earlier on Friday, and the pilot ejected and landed inside the country.
The correspondent added that there are indications the Americans, believing the pilot might be alive, attempted to extract him from Iran’s borders. However, some sources say the pilot has likely been captured by Iranian forces.
The IRGC announced on Friday that the second F-35 fighter jet was destroyed in the skies of central Iran by the new advanced defense system of the IRGC Aerospace Force. It said the doomed fighter jet belongs to the Lakenheath squadron.
The IRGC noted that the intruding fighter jet has been completely destroyed and has crashed.
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Published By:
Shounak Sanyal
Published On:
Apr 3, 2026 18:20 IST
