Iran and US race to find missing American crew member downed in fighter jet - reports
Key Points:
- Elite US combat search and rescue units, described as "the Swiss Army knives of the Air Force," are conducting a high-risk mission using Blackhawk helicopters and AC-130 gunships to locate the missing crew member of a downed US F-15 fighter jet in Iran.
- The search is extremely time-sensitive as Iran is also attempting to find the missing personnel, with US forces employing special operations trained to the level of Delta Force and Navy SEAL Team Six, along with medical capabilities.
- Verified video shows US aircraft, including helicopters and a plane, conducting search and rescue operations over Khuzestan province in southern Iran, where one crew member has reportedly been rescued, though the second remains missing.
- The Israeli military has reportedly paused strikes in southern Iran during the search, but ongoing airstrikes and missile launches continue in other parts of Iran and Beirut, with the Israel Defense Forces targeting ballistic missile sites and UAVs.
- US President Donald Trump stated that the downing of the fighter jet marks a state of war but will not impact negotiations with Iran, highlighting the mission's critical and dangerous nature.