Downed jet sets off search operation

A U.S. fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, according to U.S. and Israeli officials as well as Iranian state-affiliated media, adding another layer of chaos to an already volatile regional conflict.

A search-and-rescue mission is now underway to find the two crew members aboard the F-15E Strike Eagle. Officials said the pilot ejected before the aircraft went down, but the condition and location of both people remain unknown. U.S. officials are trying to reach the crew before Iranian forces do, which is exactly the sort of race no one wants to be in, except apparently everyone involved.

Iranian state media quickly turned the incident into a public spectacle. One Iranian news anchor urged residents to turn over any "enemy pilot" to police and promised a reward to anyone who did. An on-screen crawl had earlier told viewers to "shoot them if you see them," referring to social media video circulating online that appeared to show U.S. aircraft in the area.

Conflicting reports from Iranian outlets

Iranian state-linked outlets gave mixed accounts of what was happening on the ground, or in the air, depending on which version you preferred.

The Fars news agency said it was unclear who was operating the aircraft. Tasnim reported that the helicopters involved were American and claimed at least one was forced to retreat after coming under fire. Tasnim also said a U.S. C-130 Hercules aircraft took part in the operation.

Mizan, a news outlet affiliated with Iran’s judiciary, said an American rescue mission was underway and published images it claimed showed U.S. aircraft in Iranian airspace.

According to Reuters, Iranian officials urged civilians to watch for survivors. The governor of Iran’s Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said whoever captured or killed the crew "would be specially commended," according to the semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA.

Trump briefed as strikes widen

President Donald Trump has reportedly been briefed on the incident, which comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to spike. Over the past 24 hours, both sides have exchanged strikes targeting military and civilian infrastructure across the region.

The downing of the jet could create an awkward political problem for Trump, who told the nation in a primetime address this week that the war was effectively ending and that Iran’s military capability had been all but destroyed. He also said the U.S.-Israeli bombardment would continue for "two or three weeks."

Before the jet was reported shot down on Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social:

"With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP"

He has also threatened further escalation, warning that Iran’s energy grid could be targeted if the strait is not reopened. Iranian officials have rejected negotiations under current conditions.

Late Thursday, Trump wrote on social media, "Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" He added, "New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!"

On Friday, he praised the bombing of an Iranian bridge and warned there was "much more to follow." Video from the strike showed the B1 bridge in Karaj, west of Tehran, being cut in half by a Thursday attack. Iranian news media said eight people were killed and 95 were wounded.

First such loss over Iran since the war began

Friday’s incident is the first U.S. or Israeli jet to be shot down over Iran since the war began.

The most recent comparable loss involving a U.S. fighter came in March, when three F-15E Strike Eagle jets were downed by friendly fire over Kuwait. No crew members were injured in that incident.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.