Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for shooting down a US aircraft that was engaged in a rescue mission to locate a missing pilot. The incident reportedly occurred in the southern region of Isfahan, according to Iranian state-linked media reports published on April 5, 2026.

Fars News, citing its Telegram channel, shared an image showing thick smoke rising from a field and described the event as a desperate attempt by former US President Donald Trump to cover up a major defeat. The report emerged shortly after Trump announced that the missing crew member had been rescued. The latest claim follows earlier incidents on Friday in which Iran said it had downed two US warplanes—an F-15 and an A-10—in separate engagements. In total, seven US aircraft have reportedly been destroyed in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The situation underscores escalating hostilities between the two nations, with both sides reporting losses and issuing conflicting statements about recent military operations.