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3. F-15 Downed as Iran, U.S. Scramble to Find Pilots

A U.S. fighter jet has crashed in southwest Iran, and a search-and-rescue operation is underway to locate the two crew members, according to Reuters. U.S. officials have confirmed that Iran shot down the aircraft, according to Reuters and the New York Times. This marks the first time since the start of the war that a U.S. aircraft has been downed by enemy fire.

On Friday, Iranian state media published photos and videos allegedly showing debris from the downed aircraft and one of the ejection seats in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. The photographs, according to military analysts, appear to show debris from an American F-15E, a fighter jet designed for long-range, high-speed interdiction.

The Iranian government, via their state broadcaster IRIB, urged Iranians to capture the pilots, promising a reward for anyone able bring them to military forces alive.

Iranian media has published unconfirmed videos of U.S. helicopters and KC-130 refueling aircraft flying low over southwest Iranian airspace, an indication that Iranian anti-aircraft could be severely degraded.