US sends special forces into Iran to rescue downed F-15 pilot
Iran says it captured a pilot and offered a reward, while US media report a rescue attempt and a ground mission to find the second crew member.
Mar 27, 2026, 11:59 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- A downed US fighter and a contested rescue effort raise the risk of a direct US–Iran clash and complicate any de-escalation talks.
The latest:
- US special forces have been deployed into Iran to locate and rescue a second pilot from a downed F-15, after one crew member was already recovered, The Telegraph reports. - The US military began a search-and-rescue operation to determine the location of two crew members after an F-15 was shot down over Iran, Axios says. - Iranian state media in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad announced a reward for anyone who captures a pilot alive, according to multiple reports.
What they're saying:
- “Iran shot down an American fighter, as reported by Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, and search-and-rescue operations are underway to determine the location of two crew members,” Axios wrote. - “One of several crew members of the American F-15 shot down over Iran has been rescued,” CBS News reported, citing US officials. - The Telegraph says US special forces were sent into Iran to find the second pilot, while Iranian authorities offered a reward for his capture.
The tension:
- Iran’s IRGC said it shot down an F-35, while CNN and Axios, analyzing photos released by Iranian media, concluded the downed aircraft was a two-seat F-15E Strike Eagle. - Iranian outlets claimed a pilot was captured and even released a photo of an empty cockpit to mislead US forces, a claim Iranian outlet NourNews said it could not independently confirm. - US officials have not issued an official statement confirming the loss of a bomber or the status of the pilots.
The risk:
- A ground rescue mission inside Iran increases the chance of direct US–Iran confrontation and further escalation. - Conflicting claims about the aircraft type and the fate of the crew add uncertainty that could drive miscalculation.
What to watch:
- Whether the US confirms the downing and the status of both crew members. - Any official Iranian statement confirming or denying the capture of a US pilot. - The outcome of the search-and-rescue operation and whether it leads to a direct US–Iran encounter.
The bottom line:
- A downed F-15 and a contested rescue mission are pushing US–Iran tensions toward a dangerous flashpoint.