Live updates: Search and rescue mission underway after U.S. fighter jet goes down over Iran, officials say

**US fighter jet crash: American aircraft down over Iran as rescue teams scramble**

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

A U.S. fighter jet crashed in Iranian territory Tuesday, triggering an urgent search and rescue operation for the missing pilot.

The F-35 went down in mountainous terrain near the Iran-Afghanistan border, according to Pentagon officials who confirmed the incident to NBC News.

The crash threatens to escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran just months after President Donald Trump’s return to office. Iran’s military has mobilized units to the crash site while U.S. Central Command coordinates recovery efforts from bases in Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon that contact with the aircraft was lost around 2:30 p.m. local time. “We have reason to believe the pilot may have ejected,” Hegseth said, adding that weather conditions in the region were deteriorating rapidly. The secretary declined to specify the jet’s mission or whether it had entered Iranian airspace intentionally.

Iranian state television broadcast images of smoke rising from remote peaks in South Khorasan province, roughly 50 miles from the Afghan frontier. Local governor Mohammad Reza Hosseini told state media that villagers reported hearing an explosion before seeing the aircraft plummet. “Our forces are approaching the area but it’s very difficult terrain,” Hosseini said.

The Pentagon has not released the pilot’s identity, citing notification of family members. Military officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the aviator is an experienced officer with multiple combat deployments. The F-35 Lightning II represents America’s most advanced stealth fighter, costing approximately $80 million per aircraft.

Regional military analysts expressed alarm at the potential intelligence bonanza for Tehran if wreckage falls into Iranian hands. “Even small pieces of the F-35’s skin or electronics could give Iran valuable insights into U.S. stealth technology,” said retired Air Force Colonel Sam Gardiner, who has studied Iranian military capabilities. Iran has previously claimed to reverse-engineer American drone technology after capturing unmanned aircraft.

Russia and China, both subjected to U.S. sanctions, maintain close defense ties with Tehran and could seek access to any recovered debris. The Kremlin has provided technical assistance to Iran’s military-industrial complex, while Beijing has invested billions in Iranian infrastructure projects. Neither Moscow nor Beijing immediately commented on Tuesday’s crash.

Trump convened an emergency meeting with national security advisers at the White House Situation Room, according to administration officials. The president, who campaigned on ending foreign military entanglements, faces pressure to respond decisively while avoiding broader conflict. “We’re exploring all options to recover our personnel and equipment,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, declining to rule out military action.

Iran’s foreign ministry issued a statement demanding the United States “immediately cease all hostile aerial activities” near Iranian borders. “This incident proves the aggressive nature of U.S. military presence in our region,” ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said through state media. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling for international pressure on Washington to respect Iranian sovereignty.

## Background

U.S.-Iranian military confrontations have intensified since Trump’s January inauguration, with American forces conducting shows of force in the Persian Gulf. The president withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term and imposed crippling sanctions that remain in effect. Tehran has responded by expanding its uranium enrichment program while supporting proxy militias across the Middle East.

Iran’s air defense network has grown increasingly sophisticated through Russian-supplied S-300 missile systems and domestically-produced radar arrays. The country shot down an American RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone in 2019, claiming it violated Iranian airspace. Washington insisted the aircraft remained in international airspace but took no retaliatory action after Trump reportedly called off planned strikes at the last minute.

## What’s Next

CENTCOM has deployed additional aircraft to monitor the crash site while diplomatic channels work to secure pilot recovery. Regional allies including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have offered assistance, though their involvement could complicate negotiations with Tehran. Weather forecasts predict heavy snow in the mountainous region within 48 hours, potentially hampering search efforts and covering crash debris.

The incident tests Trump’s stated commitment to avoiding Middle Eastern military adventures while demonstrating strength to adversaries. Republican hawks in Congress are already demanding a robust response, while Democrats warn against escalation. The president’s handling of this crisis could shape his foreign policy legacy as he enters his second year in office.