Iran claimed Friday it shot down a US fighter jet — as it put a bounty on the pilot who Tehran claims was ejected before the attack.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed “newly developed and advanced air defenses” had downed an a fighter jet, which was “completely destroyed and crashed,” Tehran’s Press TV reported.
Iran claimed Friday it shot down a US fighter jet — as it put a bounty on the pilot who Tehran claims was ejected before the attack. U.S. Central Command Public Affairs The anchor of a local affiliate of the state TV broadcaster promised a reward for anyone in the Iranian public who alerts regime authorities to the pilot’s location.
“If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police, you will receive a precious prize,” the anchor said, according to the Associated Press.
The Pentagon has yet to make a statement on the reports.
Iran has regularly made fraudulent claims of downing American aircraft throughout the monthlong war.
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As recently as Thursday, US Central Command issued a statement denying a claim of another reported downing made up by the Iranians.
“FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran’s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times,” the combatant command posted to X — hours before the latest report.
