US military plane shot down in Iran

Albin Almqvist

Updated 19.05 | Published 16.09

 

Iran has shot down a US fighter jet.

Now the hunt for the crew is underway – from both directions.

Iran urges people to “shoot them if you see them”.

At the same time, CBS reports that one of the pilots has been rescued by US forces.

A US military plane has been shot down over southwestern Iran, US officials confirm to the New York Times.

A rescue operation is currently underway to find the plane and the crew, the newspaper reports.

Details: One rescued

Sources to both CBS and NBC state that one of the crew members has been rescued by US forces.

The rescued crew member is alive, and the search for the other is now underway, reports the Times of Israel.

           

          Airplanes and helicopters that are said to be participating in the rescue operation.

Supposed to have ejected

Reports about the downed plane came earlier in the day from Iranian state television, which claimed that the American pilots ejected from the plane.

Newscasters on state television urged the public to hand over “enemy pilots” to the authorities and receive a reward, reports the AP.

At one point, the public is urged to “shoot them if you see them.”

The news broadcasts showed wreckage, which was allegedly from the downed American plane.

Donald Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt says that the president has been informed of the incident, reports Sky News.

No more detailed statement has yet come from the White House.

            

           An American F-15 fighter jet. Photo: Centcom

           

         Iran has released photos that allegedly show wreckage.