06.04.2026 06:30
Iran claimed that U.S. transport planes were shot down during the rescue operation for the pilot of the downed U.S. warplane and that the U.S. bombed its own troops. The U.S., on the other hand, announced that the pilot was rescued. The conflicting statements from both sides are increasing tensions in the region, while the details of the incident are being closely monitored by the international public.
Iran made striking statements regarding the alleged downing of a US F-15E fighter jet and the subsequent rescue operation. The Iranian side claimed that the US transport planes sent for the rescue were shot down by air defense systems and that the US targeted its own soldiers.
ATTENTION-GRABBING STATEMENT FROM THE IRANIAN ARMY
Colonel Ibrahim Zulfikari, spokesperson for the operational center of the Iranian Armed Forces, Hatemul Enbiya Headquarters, criticized the US military activities in the region in strong terms in a statement to the Iranian press. Zulfikari claimed that the US transport planes were shot down by Iranian air defense, stating, "US planes were hit by Iranian air defense, and the US bombed its own soldiers."
Zulfikari also argued that US President Donald Trump was in a difficult situation, stating that the Washington administration was trying to cover up the military losses with propaganda.
RESCUE OPERATION SPARKS CONTROVERSY
The US conducted an operation to rescue the second pilot of the F-15E fighter jet, which was reported to have been downed in Iran on April 3. US President Donald Trump announced that the operation was successful and that the second pilot was rescued.
However, the Iranian side denied this statement. Zulfikari claimed that the US rescue attempt was unsuccessful, asserting that the lost pilot could not be reached.
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS INCREASE TENSION
Conflicting statements from Iran and the US have brought military and political tensions between the two countries back to the forefront. While the parties have not yet shared independent data to confirm each other's claims, developments in the region are being closely monitored by the international public.
US: WE HAD TO DESTROY HELICOPTERS AND AIRCRAFT
It was claimed that the US had to deliberately destroy 4 MH-6 Little Bird helicopters during the operation to rescue a pilot whose plane was downed in Iran.
US officials speaking to CNS News stated that the helicopters were used to transport the pilot and crew and were destroyed by the American military at the end of the operation. The report also mentioned that two MC-130J C-130 aircraft involved in the rescue mission became stranded inside Iran during the operation, and US forces deliberately destroyed the planes to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.
Officials noted that the US had to send three additional backup aircraft to Iran to extract the pilot and rescue teams. According to one of the officials, two MC-130J C-130 aircraft were also destroyed due to mechanical issues; these aircraft were designed for special operations missions.
TRUMP: THE BRAVEST OPERATION IN US HISTORY
An A-10 Warthog aircraft belonging to the US, which provided close air support for the rescue mission on Friday, was hit by Iranian fire. The pilot managed to safely eject from the aircraft using the ejection seat before it crashed and returned to Kuwait. On the same day, it was revealed that a US F-15E fighter jet was downed over Iran; while one of the pilots was rescued, a desperate search and rescue operation was reported to be ongoing for the second crew member of the two-person aircraft.
US President Donald Trump stated in a social media post early in the morning that the operation was "one of the bravest Search and Rescue Operations in US history," announcing that the second pilot was also rescued. Iranian state media, however, published photos of the wreckage of a burned American aircraft today, drawing attention to the fact that three American planes had been downed within three days.