Updated April 3, 2026 at 10:49 AM CDT
Iran state media have reported an American fighter jet has gone down in Iran.
A U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly has confirmed the reports and added that a search is underway by U.S. forces.
Photos posted to Telegram by Iran's Fars news agency showed debris from what appeared to be an American aircraft. One piece of debris in the photos closely resembles the vertical stabilizer of an F-15 Strike Eagle. A separate photo posted by an IRGC-affiliated channel appeared to show an empty F-15 ejection seat.
NPR could not immediately verify where the photos were taken.
The F-15 is a tactical fighter that typically carry a crew of two, according to the Air Force.
Iranian state media outlets report that a crew member has been captured and is being held by the country's Revolutionary Guard; NPR has not independently confirmed that claim.
Numerous videos have also appeared showing planes and helicopters that closely resemble American search and rescue (SAR) aircraft flying in southwestern Iran. NPR was able to geolocate one of the videos to a bridge in the province of Khuzestan.
The bridge is located in a mountainous area approximately 100 miles inland. In the video an aircraft appears to be refueling two helicopters while flying at low altitude.
Video of what appears to be a C-130 and two Blackhawk helicopters conducting SAR operations near the 3 Balotak cable bridge in Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran.
— Geoff Brumfiel (@gbrumfiel) April 3, 2026
Source: https://t.co/aIkqSnkPkT pic.twitter.com/xtIUhsiYYn
A second video appeared to also be shot in Khuzestan near the city of Behbahan, though it's precise location was unclear.
The incident marks the second time in recent weeks that an American aircraft was confirmed to be struck by enemy fire. In mid-March, a U.S. F-35 aircraft was hit by a missile, causing significant damage to the plane and injuring the pilot.
NPR was told at the time that the F-35 aircraft was able to return to its base, but the plane made a hard landing. The pilot was wounded by shrapnel and required stitches.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
NPR's D. Parvaz and the RAD Team contributed to this report.
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