U.S. Fighter Jet Crashes in Iran, Triggering Search for Crew

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft takes off for a mission supporting Operation Epic Fury during the Iran war at an undisclosed location, March 9, 2026. —Air Force/Reuters

A U.S. fighter jet crashed inside Iran on Friday, setting off a race between U.S. efforts to rescue the two-person crew and Iranian officials encouraging their citizens on the ground to find them first. 

One crew member from the two-person F-15E jet was rescued by U.S. forces and the search continues for the other crew member...