TEHRAN: Iran’s army stated on Sunday (Apr 5) that it destroyed three US plane concerned in a search operation for a crew member of a downed American fighter jet.
Iran and the US had been racing since Friday to find a second crew member of an F-15E earlier than US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that the officer had been recovered in a search and rescue operation.
“The enemy’s intruding plane in southern Isfahan – together with two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 army transport plane – had been struck and are actually burning,” the army’s central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, stated.
It added that the rescue operation had “failed”.
State media shared photos of charred wreckage scattered throughout a desert space, with smoke nonetheless emanating from the location.
Iranian media reported that strikes throughout the rescue operation killed 5 folks in southwestern Iran, although it was not instantly clear whether or not they had been civilians or army personnel.
Since Friday, Iranian media have additionally shared footage displaying native residents, some carrying flags and rifles, looking for the pilot after authorities introduced bounties for data.
Early on Sunday, Trump stated the second crew member was “protected and sound” following the operation.
