Bounty hunters have now joined the search for a US crew member who was shot down over Iran, as the leaders in Tehran have offered a £50,000 reward. The militia members are in a race against the professional troops of Iran and the American special forces who are engaged in a rescue mission to save their crew member from capture. This development follows Donald Trump’s assurance that the incident would not impact negotiations with Iran and his reiterated warning that a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz must be reached by Easter Monday.
The US President took to his Truth Social platform on Saturday, stating, “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” Iranian state broadcasters have urged citizens to participate in the search, promising a valuable reward for capturing the enemy pilot alive and handing them over to the police. This reward holds significant value in the south-western Kohgiluyehand and Boyer-Ahmad Province, where the average monthly wage is around £150.
The crew member, an unnamed weapons systems officer, is believed to have landed in the vicinity after the two-seater F-15E was shot down by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps during operations in southern Iran. A daring rescue mission was swiftly conducted by US Special Forces using Pave Hawk helicopters, a C-130 Hercules aircraft, and drones.
During the search efforts, a US A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as Warthog, reportedly crashed into the Persian Gulf near Kuwait after being targeted by Iranian fire. Fortunately, the sole pilot on board was safely rescued. Additionally, two US Blackhawk helicopters involved in the search and rescue operations were also hit by Iranian fire, but the service members on board escaped unharmed.
Images of debris believed to be from the downed F-15E jet, part of the 494 Squadron of the 48th Fighter Wing stationed at USAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, were published by Iranian state media. The jet, valued at £75 million, has the capability to reach speeds of Mach 2.5 and carry various air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons, including laser-guided bombs, missiles, and potentially nuclear weapons.
Concerns have been raised by experts that the missing airman could become a propaganda tool for the Iranian regime, reminiscent of past incidents involving captured military personnel. Former British RAF pilot John Peters highlighted the political nature of the situation, emphasizing the importance of successful extraction for the safety of the crew member and their families.
The potential capture of the airman would pose a challenge for President Trump, who previously downplayed Iran’s capabilities against US aircraft. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari described the jet downing as a “humiliation” for the US and Israel, attributing it to advancements in Iran’s domestically-produced air defense systems.
The situation continues to escalate as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took action against relatives of the late Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, canceling their visas. In response, Soleimani’s daughter denied any relation to the individuals targeted, dismissing the claims made by the US State Department as false.
Meanwhile, Israel’s airforce released footage of a strike on a truck allegedly used for launching ballistic missiles in north-west Iran. Reports also surfaced of an Israeli-affiliated ship being targeted by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, accompanied by a missile strike on Bnei Brak in Israel. Jerusalem experienced multiple explosions following missile alerts, leading to interceptions by the Israeli air defenses.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Iran aggressively, targeting key facilities that fund hostile activities. Simultaneously, reports emerged of an attack near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, resulting in casualties, and drone strikes on an Iraqi oilfield, causing injuries.
The cross-border tensions prompted Iraq to close a border crossing with Iran after airstrikes allegedly led to casualties on the Iraqi side. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military actions and countermeasures between the involved nations.
