Sources told Tasnim’s correspondent in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in western Iran on Friday that US forces had been conducting a search operation since earlier today to recover the pilot of their fighter jet, which was shot down by Iran’s Armed Forces. The operation involved Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft; however, their efforts have so far been futile.

The sources added that, given the reputational damage to the United States in this incident, it is possible that another individual may be introduced within the coming hours as the rescued pilot.

Based on some information, following the destruction of the advanced American fighter jet by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) earlier on Friday, the pilot ejected and landed inside the country.

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.

The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.

The attacks have involved extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran, causing significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting American and Israeli positions in the occupied territories and at regional bases with waves of missiles and drones.