CNN reported on Saturday that the U.S. Air Force has lost at least seven manned aircraft in the ongoing war with Iran.
For its part, The Times said that the downing of a U.S. aircraft inside Iranian territory yesterday raises serious concerns about a potential hostage crisis, as Iran is reportedly offering financial rewards to anyone who finds the missing American.
The British newspaper, in a report by George Grylls from Washington, explained that images of an ejection seat found in the Iranian desert indicate that one of the American pilots survived, while the other remains missing.
Initially, Iran announced that it had shot down the advanced F-35 aircraft. However, images and preliminary examination of the wreckage revealed that it was actually an F-15 Strike Eagle, designed for long-range bombing missions and operated by a two-person crew, increasing Washington’s concern over the fate of the second officer.
The report also referred to a rescue attempt during which Hercules C-130J Super aircraft were seen refueling Black Hawk helicopters more than 100 miles from the Iraqi border, as part of the search operation for the pilots.
Large Iranian reward
In this context, the newspaper stated that Iranian authorities have offered substantial financial rewards of up to approximately $60,000 to anyone who locates the pilots, in an effort to leverage local residents in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad desert region.
The incident comes amid a U.S.-Israeli military campaign that has relied on smart bombs after the depletion of costly Tomahawk missiles. U.S. President Donald Trump described this as evidence of American air superiority over Iran, despite the incident exposing vulnerabilities on the ground and the risks of such military operations.
Trump had previously expressed personal pride that American fighter jets were flying over Iranian airspace without interception. Two weeks ago, he stated: “We have taken out their air defenses; there is no air defense at all.”
U.S. special forces managed to rescue the first pilot, who is now receiving treatment, while the weapons systems officer remains missing. Concerns are growing that any delay in rescuing him could give Iran significant leverage over President Trump.
The report noted that the White House is attempting to manage the crisis and avoid a disaster similar to past incidents. Trump had previously criticized former President Jimmy Carter for failing to rescue 66 American diplomats held hostage in Iran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying, “It is ridiculous that our people are held hostage, and allowing a country like Iran to do that is, in my opinion, a catastrophe.”
Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January, Trump expressed relief that the operation did not turn into a disaster similar to what occurred during Carter’s presidency.
The writer concluded that the incident serves as a reminder to Washington of the risks associated with complex military operations behind enemy lines, placing the U.S. administration under a real test of its search-and-rescue capabilities, amid growing concerns over further escalation that could lead to greater American losses or a serious diplomatic crisis with Iran.
