Shadows in wreckage: Conflicting reports as U.S. Fighter goes down in Iran

TEHRAN: Iran claims to have shot down a U.S. F-35 fighter jet, according to reports from Iranian news agencies citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). State and semi-official media outlets, quoting Iranian officials, stated there was no possibility of the pilot escaping the wreckage. However, these claims conflict with unconfirmed reports suggesting the pilot has been taken into custody.

In a different account, Turkish news agencies report that the aircraft involved was an F-15. This marks the second time in two weeks that Iran has claimed to have downed a U.S. fighter jet; a similar report emerged previously on March 19.

C-130 aircraft and Black Hawk helicopters reportedly flying over southern Iran in search of missing US pilots pic.twitter.com/CpUcJvZaxz

— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) April 3, 2026