Iran Says New Air Defence System Helped Shoot Down US F-15E Jets: What Is It?

Last Updated:April 05, 2026, 12:49 IST

The F-15E, valued at about $31 million, is believed to have crashed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in southwestern Iran, near the Iraqi border.

Iran said on Saturday that a newly deployed air defence system helped bring down US aircraft, as fighting with American and Israeli forces continues.

Shortly after the United States confirmed that the second crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet had been rescued, Iran claimed it had shot down another US aircraft involved in the rescue operation. According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the aircraft was targeted while searching for the missing officer in the southern region of Isfahan, as reported by Fars news agency.

The claim was made by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command on state media, according to Reuters. Officials said the system had been responsible for shooting down two US planes and would allow Iran to “definitely achieve full control" over its airspace.

Use of the Third Khordad missile?

Reports suggest that Iran may have used the Third Khordad missile system, a mobile medium-range surface-to-air defence system, to hit an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet.

According to The New York Times, this system could have been involved in the strike. Other experts, cited by ABC News, believe Iran may have relied on passive infrared detection systems. These systems track aircraft without emitting radar signals, making them harder for US jets to detect and avoid.

F-15E crash

The F-15E, valued at about $31 million, is believed to have crashed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province in southwestern Iran, near the Iraqi border.

Both crew members ejected from the aircraft. One was rescued following the incident on Friday, while the second one was rescued on Sunday.

A-10 helicopter hit during rescue operation

During a follow-up rescue mission for the missing crew member, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the “Warthog", was struck.

The aircraft later crashed after entering Kuwaiti airspace, but the pilot was able to eject safely.

These incidents mark the first confirmed US aircraft losses inside Iran since the conflict began on February 28.

So far, the US military has carried out strikes on more than 12,300 targets during the war. US officials say the campaign has reduced Iran’s missile and drone capabilities by over 90 per cent.

News world Iran Says New Air Defence System Helped Shoot Down US F-15E Jets: What Is It?

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