US rescues second crew member of downed US F-15 fighter jet in Iran

The US has rescued the second crew member of a US F-15 fighter jet that was shot down in Iran, a US military official confirmed on Sunday (April 5), Al Jazeera reported.

However, there is no clear information yet on whether the rescued crew member was found alive or dead.

Last Friday (April 3), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down a US F-15 fighter jet. Usually, such aircraft have two crew members, one pilot and the other a weapons control officer.

US Special Forces were able to rescue one of the crew members on the same day the plane was shot down. Then, they launched a direct operation in Iran to rescue the second missing crew member. The latest crew member has also been rescued.

As part of the rescue operation, US forces used surveillance aircraft and helicopters to search. However, at one point, one of the helicopters had to retreat due to fire from Iranian forces.

Meanwhile, Iran has announced a reward for the missing American crew member, saying it will be paid for his capture, dead or alive.

These recent events have further heightened tensions in the Middle East.