It comes after news emerged that a search and rescue operation was underway for a crew member in southwestern Iran. American F-15 On Friday, a fighter jet was shot down near the Iraqi border.
Iranian authorities are reportedly conducting their own search operations and even asking civilians for help. National television aired messages pleading with the public to find the missing Americans and government prizes were awarded.
Video circulated on social media by Michael A. Horowitz on Saturday showed what appeared to be more activity near what is believed to be the crash site. The post claimed that a rescue mission was underway.
“The video purportedly shows locals and security forces mobilizing to the site where rescues are said to be taking place,” Horowitz wrote.
In the video, locals can be seen walking through rural areas with civilians as vehicles drive toward the alleged “crash site.”
Read more: F-15 crash update: Where are the crew now? Iran “searches” for pilot, rewards announced
Reports of downed U.S. planes and missing crew members
Iran shot down a “highly advanced American fighter jet,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. Other Iranian media also published photos purporting to depict the wreckage of a downed plane.
According to Axios, citing sources, one crew member has been rescued, but the other crew member is still being urgently searched. Sources said both crew members escaped after the plane was hit by Iranian artillery fire.
However, special forces found and survived the crew member inside Iran. But the second crew member is still missing.
The conditions of those rescued were not immediately clear.
Read more: Iran says another U.S. fighter jet was shot down; state TV urges pilot capture
The rescue plane was also shot down
one A-10 Warthog The plane was reportedly involved in rescue efforts before it was hit over the Persian Gulf and the pilot had to eject before being rescued.
Two Black Hawk helicopters involved in a U.S. rescue operation were shot at by nomadic tribesmen in Iran’s mountains, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps).
A helicopter carrying a pilot rescued from an F-15E jet came under small arms fire, injuring the crew, The Hill reported. However, the helicopter eventually landed safely.
Reuters reported that Iran’s top joint military command attributed the downing of two U.S. planes to Iran’s new air defense system.
