Iran has offered a big cash reward of about $66,000 (roughly 10 billion Iranian tomans) to anyone who captures the pilot of a downed US fighter jet alive and hands them over to the authorities.
Iranian state television announced on Friday, April 3, 2026. A local TV anchor in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province urged citizens: “If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police, you will receive a precious prize.” The call came after Iran claimed its air defence forces shot down a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over southwestern Iran.
The two-seater jet had a pilot and a weapons systems officer on board. US officials confirmed that one crew member was rescued in a daring special forces operation. However, the second crew member remains missing, and American forces are continuing a difficult search inside Iran.
Iranian media showed what it said was wreckage from the plane and sent troops to the area. State-linked channels asked local people to help hunt for the American airman. Some reports even suggested a second US aircraft, an A-10 Warthog, faced fire during the rescue mission, but its pilot was also saved.
This is the first time Iran has successfully downed a US manned fighter jet during the current Iran-Israel war that began in late February 2026. The incident has raised tensions further in the region.
US President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation. The search for the missing crew member continues amid heavy military activity on both sides.
