Argus News - Iranian Official Announces Reward For Capture Or Killing Of US Pilots After Jet Downing Claim

Tehran, Apr 3: An Iranian provincial official sparked global concern by announcing that anyone who captures or kills a US pilot will be “commended,” after Tehran claimed it had shot down an American fighter jet during the ongoing conflict.

Reward Call After Alleged Jet Downing
According to reports, the governor of a south-western Iranian province made the statement after claims that a US F-15E fighter jet had been brought down, with the pilot ejecting mid-air.

Iranian state-affiliated media also broadcast messages encouraging civilians to participate. One such announcement urged people to report or capture the pilot, promising “significant reward and compensation” if handed over alive.

Public Urged To Target Aircraft
In a controversial broadcast, a regional Iranian channel went further, calling on civilians to actively target aircraft.

“If you see an airplane or helicopter in the sky, make sure to target it,” an anchor reportedly said, intensifying concerns over civilian involvement in active conflict.

US Rescue Operation Underway
US officials believe the pilot may still be alive and are reportedly conducting a combat search-and-rescue operation inside Iranian territory.

Images circulated by Iranian media allegedly show American helicopters, planes, and drones operating over a mountainous region believed to be the crash site, around 500 km southwest of Tehran.

Also Read: US Secy of War Pete Hegseth Removes Two More Top Army Generals

Conflicting Claims Over Aircraft Losses
Earlier, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had also shot down a second advanced fighter jet, allegedly an F-35 operated by the US Air Force.

The IRGC stated that the aircraft was destroyed on impact and suggested the pilot may not have survived. These claims, however, remain unverified and have not been independently confirmed.

Tensions Escalate Further
The incident marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Tehran’s messaging signalling a hardening stance and raising fears over the safety of military personnel and the involvement of civilians in combat situations.