Iran, US race to recover missing crew member of crashed American fighter jet

© - / US Airforce/AFP
by FRANCE 24
April 4, 2026
2 min read

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The Bottom Line

US and Iran race to recover a missing American fighter pilot after F-15 was shot down.

AI Summary

Iran and the US are in a race to locate and recover a missing American fighter pilot after an F-15 was shot down by Iranian forces on Friday. US special forces have already rescued one of the jet's two crew members, but the second pilot remains unaccounted for. The downed aircraft represents an escalation in direct military confrontation between the two countries. Control of the missing crew member could significantly affect diplomatic leverage and prisoner negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Recovery operations in contested airspace carry substantial risk for both sides.

What's Being Done

US special forces have rescued one of the two crew members; recovery operations for the second pilot are ongoing in contested airspace.

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