U.S. officials say an exhaustive search is underway in Iran to locate and rescue an airman after an F-15 was downed earlier this week.
According to U.S. defense sources who spoke with NBC News, the pilot ejected following the incident and U.S. military and intelligence assets have been mobilized to locate and recover the service member. Officials described the effort as urgent and expansive, drawing on aerial reconnaissance, signals intelligence and coordination with regional partners where possible.
Details about where the aircraft went down and the exact circumstances remain limited in public reporting. U.S. authorities have not publicly released a timeline or precise location pending confirmation of the airman’s status and safety. Officials cautioned that operations in the area are complicated by airspace control, terrain and ongoing regional tensions.
Iranian state authorities have provided little public information about the event. U.S. officials told NBC News they are attempting to use diplomatic and military channels to secure the airman’s safe return and to deconflict any recovery activity with Iranian forces on the ground.
The incident has prompted heightened alert across U.S. regional assets. Military spokespeople emphasized that search-and-rescue procedures are being followed and that efforts prioritize the recovery of personnel. The Pentagon has not released a formal statement detailing the full scope of assets involved.
The development also touches on broader diplomatic dynamics. In a separate interview with NBC News, former President Donald Trump said the downing of the F-15 would not affect his approach to negotiations with Iran. U.S. policymakers and diplomats are weighing both the immediate humanitarian imperative of recovering the airman and longer-term strategic considerations.
Family members of the service member have been notified and are receiving support from military casualty and family assistance teams, officials said. Public details about the crew’s identity have been withheld at the request of the family and pending official confirmation.
U.S. officials reiterated that search-and-rescue operations can be time-sensitive and complex, and that outcomes can change rapidly as new intelligence comes in. The situation remains fluid, and authorities said they would provide updates when appropriate and after verifying information through established channels.