Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday said it shot down a US C-130 transport aircraft during a rescue operation, in what it described as a coordinated strike involving air, ground and paramilitary forces. The claim could not be independently verified.
The reported incident follows Iran’s assertion a day earlier that it had downed two US fighter jets, including an F-15E Strike Eagle. If confirmed, the losses would mark a significant escalation in the conflict.
US President Donald Trump said a weapons systems officer from one of the downed F-15 aircraft had been successfully rescued after an extended operation, indicating that US forces were able to carry out recovery efforts despite ongoing hostilities.
Iranian officials also claimed that two US Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed during the same mission, though the US has not confirmed these losses.
The developments stem from the reported downing of a US F-15E on Friday. One crew member was rescued shortly after, while the second remained missing until the latest operation. Iranian sources suggested efforts to capture the individual, but this remains unverified.
US officials, cited in American media reports, said two damaged transport aircraft involved in the rescue were intentionally destroyed to prevent sensitive equipment from falling into Iranian hands.
Additional reports have mentioned a US A-10 aircraft shot down near the Strait of Hormuz, with the pilot surviving, and earlier F-15 losses in Kuwait under unclear circumstances.
With competing claims and limited verification, the full extent of losses remains uncertain, but the incidents point to a sharp intensification of the conflict.