Two U.S. military helicopters involved in search‑and‑rescue operations for the crew of a downed fighter jet have reportedly been struck by Iranian fire.
The incident came amid an escalation in the ongoing conflict, as U.S. forces attempted to recover personnel under hostile fire.
According to U.S. officials cited by NBC News, the helicopters managed to leave Iranian airspace and land safely. All service members aboard were reported unharmed.
They were part of a Friday, April 4, mission to recover airmen from an F‑15E Strike Eagle shot down over southern Iran.
One crew member from the F‑15E has already been rescued, while the search continues for the second — a weapons systems officer.
Reports from U.S. media and Iranian outlets suggest that at least one Black Hawk helicopter was targeted by an Iranian anti‑aircraft missile during the operation.
Social media footage showed low‑flying American aircraft, including Black Hawks and a C‑130 Hercules, conducting search patterns in southwestern Iran.
Iran’s Mehr news agency claimed a U.S. helicopter had been hit by a projectile, while Newsmax reported that the aircraft managed to escape and land safely.
The Pentagon has not issued an official statement, but U.S. officials confirmed that all personnel survived the encounter.
Also Read: All Eyes on Trump as Iran Rejects U.S. Demands Ahead of April 6 Strait of Hormuz Deadline
The rescue mission has been complicated by Iranian state media urging civilians to capture “enemy pilots.”
Rewards have been offered by local officials and businessmen, raising fears that the missing crew member could fall into Iranian hands.
Iranian outlets earlier also claimed responsibility for shooting down a U.S. A‑10 Warthog near the Strait of Hormuz.
Tasnim news agency cited the army’s public relations office, saying the aircraft was targeted in waters south of the strategic waterway. The claim has not been independently verified.
The A‑10, designed for close air support against armored vehicles and ground forces, is one of the most rugged aircraft in the U.S. arsenal.
U.S. officials previously confirmed that an A‑10 had crashed in the Gulf region, with its pilot rescued, but did not attribute the loss to hostile fire.
Iran rejects ceasefire proposal
The helicopter strikes occurred amid failed diplomatic overtures after Iran’s semi‑official Fars news agency reported that Tehran rejected a U.S. proposal for a 48‑hour ceasefire, conveyed through an unnamed third country.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation. In a brief interview with NBC News, he insisted that the downing of the F‑15E would not affect negotiations with Iran.
“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war,” he said, declining to discuss specifics of the rescue mission.
The search‑and‑rescue operation has prompted Israel to temporarily pause strikes in Iran, where U.S. aircraft are operating. Elsewhere, however, Israeli forces continued attacks on Tehran and Beirut.
Also Read: Another U.S. Warplane Downed Near Strait of Hormuz
The death toll from Thursday’s bombing of a suspension bridge in Karaj, near Tehran, has risen to 13, according to Iranian officials.
The strike, which President Trump claimed credit for, injured nearly 100 people and destroyed a $400 million infrastructure project.
Iranian leaders have responded defiantly. Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a senior defense council representative, declared that the region is Iran’s “playing field” and vowed not to retreat under threats.
Parliament speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf mocked U.S. efforts to locate missing pilots, saying the war had been downgraded from “regime change” to “Hey! Can anyone find our pilots?”
While no American personnel have yet been captured, the U.S. has lost 13 service members and seen 300 wounded in the campaign so far, with aircraft losses estimated at more than $3 billion.
