US Pilot Captured? Iran Claims F-35 Shot Down; Search Videos Raise Questions

Iranian state-linked media on Friday reported that a US fighter pilot may have been shot down and possibly captured within the country, though there has been no official confirmation from Washington. Authorities including the US Central Command, Pentagon, and the White House have yet to respond to the claims.

According to Iranian reports, the incident occurred after a US stealth aircraft was struck over central Iran, forcing the pilot to eject. However, details regarding the pilot’s condition remain unclear, with some reports suggesting survival while others indicated the crash impact may have been fatal. A local television channel even urged civilians to locate and capture the pilot, offering a reward.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency claimed that US forces launched a search operation involving helicopters and military aircraft over western Iran, though the pilot had not been found. Iranian officials also alleged that this marked the downing of a second US F-35 fighter jet, describing a large explosion that raised doubts about the pilot’s survival.

Earlier US reports had acknowledged only an emergency landing by an F-35 following a missile strike, with the pilot reportedly safe, leaving the latest claims unverified.

The developments come amid intensifying hostilities in the region, now in their fifth week. Iran has launched strikes across the Gulf, targeting key energy infrastructure and disrupting activity near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli forces have continued strikes within Iran, including areas near Tehran and Isfahan. The escalating conflict has driven oil prices higher and heightened concerns of broader economic instability, even as calls for de-escalation grow louder.