US Fighter Jet Shot Down By Iran: Report

WASHINGTON, April 3 (Bernama-Anadolu-Xinhua) -- A US fighter jet has been shot down by Iran, Anadolu Ajansi reported, according to an Axios report on Friday.

Citing Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident, Axios said if confirmed, it would be the first time since the beginning of the war that a US jet was downed by "enemy" fire.

Earlier, Iranian state media released photos and videos that allegedly show debris from the crash site, including what appears to be parts of the aircraft and one of the ejection seats.

Initial assessments based on the imagery suggest the aircraft may have been an F-15 fighter jet.

In Washington, the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Anadolu.

Separately, citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported that a search-and-rescue operation was underway for the crew of the jet fighter.

Meanwhile, governor of Iran’s Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Yadollah Rahmani, called on residents in tribal and rural areas to assist authorities in locating "enemy pilots," Xinhua reported.

"The people of the province, particularly those in tribal areas, are doing their utmost to find these pilots," Rahmani said.  "If enemy forces are spotted, capturing them alive is a priority."

He added that security, law enforcement, and military forces are closely monitoring the situation.

Rahmani also said individuals who succeed in capturing or neutralising hostile forces would be formally "commended" by the governorate.

Earlier on Friday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said its air defence systems had shot down a US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, adding the fate of the pilot remained unknown. 

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU-XINHUA