TEHRAN, April 3, (V7N) — Iran’s Fars news agency reported Friday that the army has launched a search operation for the pilot of a US fighter jet allegedly downed by an air defence system.

“Military forces have launched a search operation to find the American fighter pilot who was hit earlier today,” Fars said.

Local television aired footage it claimed showed wreckage of a downed US jet, reportedly targeted over central Iran. Police statements suggested the aircraft may have gone down in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province, urging residents to join the hunt for the pilot or pilots and offering a bounty for the capture of any US servicemen.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for military operations in the Middle East, did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.

This marks the first reported incident of a US fighter jet being downed in Iranian territory since the United States and Israel launched their war on the Islamic republic on February 28.