An American pilot of a US F-15E fighter jet might be in Iran’s custody, reported Iranian News Agency Tasnim, citing open-source intelligence. The F-15E was shot down over southern Iran and there are credible reports that the American pilot ejected over Iran.

The fighter jet was reportedly downed by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Friday, and the pilot ejected and landed inside the country.

The news agency also reported that there are indications the US forces, believing the pilot might be alive, attempted to extract him from Iranian territory in a combat search and rescue operation.

However, some sources say the pilot has likely been captured by Iranian forces.

The IRGC announced on Friday morning that the second F-35 fighter jet was destroyed in the skies of central Iran by the new advanced defence 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.

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