US special forces deployed to Iran in search for missing airman

US special operations forces have reportedly deployed to Iran as part of a mission to locate a missing crew member from a US fighter jet shot down by Iranian air defences, The Telegraph reports.

The operation follows an earlier rescue in which one of the two crew members was successfully evacuated. That mission involved two US military helicopters supported by aerial refuelling aircraft. Both helicopters were hit by Iranian forces but were still able to land safely.

The incident occurred on April 3, when Iranian air defence systems downed a US aircraft. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the jet was a single-seat F-35. However, CNN and Axios, after examining images released by Iranian media, concluded that the aircraft was likely a two-seat F-15 Strike Eagle.

One crew member has already been rescued, while efforts to find the second are ongoing. Iranian authorities have announced a “reward” for information leading to the discovery of the missing US serviceman, with the appeal broadcast on national television.

US officials have not formally confirmed the loss of the aircraft. The White House and the Pentagon have not issued official statements. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation.

Diplomatic developments coincided with the incident. Talks on ending the conflict broke down the same day after Iran rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, according to the Fars news agency. In an interview with NBC News, Trump declined to comment on the rescue operation but stated that the incident would not affect negotiations with Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova