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Iran claims it downed three US aircraft during rescue mission
Iran's armed forces claimed Sunday they shot down three U.S. aircraft, a C-130 military transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters, during the American operation to rescue a downed F-15E crew member near Isfahan.Tehran declared the mission a failure and compared it to the disastrous 1980 Operation Eagle Claw at Tabas.The United States says the rescue succeeded and that both crew members are safe.The spokesperson of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's unified military command, said "enemy flying objects were destroyed" in a joint operation involving the IRGC's aerospace and ground forces, Basij, the army, and police commandos."The invading enemy aircraft in southern Isfahan, including two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 military transport aircraft, were hit and are burning in the flames of the wrath of the heroic fighters of Islam," the statement said, according to Tasnim and Fars news agencies. The photo claims to show destroyed US Air Force C-130 aircrafts that participated in the rescue operation of the downed F-15E fighter jet pilots in Iran. (Photo via Telegram/Tasnimnews) Iran invokes 1980 Tabas disaster to mock TrumpThe IRGC drew a direct parallel to the failed 1980 U.S. hostage rescue mission Operation Eagle Claw, in which eight American service members were killed when aircraft collided in the Iranian desert at Tabas."Trump the gambler, the God of the sands of Tabas is still here," the IRGC statement said, adding that "America has once again suffered a disgraceful defeat like the Tabas operation."The Revolutionary Guards accused Trump of fabricating a successful rescue to cover up what it called a "heavy defeat." The photo shows a destroyed US military RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter that crashed into a C-130 during Operation Eagle Claw, April 24th, 1980. (Photo via khamenei.ir) Iran police claim commando unit destroyed C-130Iran's police command (FARAJA) separately claimed its commando unit, the Faraj Rangers, destroyed the C-130 with concentrated fire in southern Isfahan.Fars News Agency described the aircraft as a refueling plane supporting "the evil invaders of the sacred land of the homeland."Iran's state television broadcast images of an aircraft and a long-distance shot of dark smoke rising from a desert area.Iran's army also claimed it had downed an Israeli MQ-9 Reaper drone over Isfahan province on Sunday, with the IRGC saying the drone was shot down by aerospace force air defenses. More to Read US confirms aircraft...
Iranian media claims 'several US aircraft destroyed' in Isfahan, denies ...
US rescues both crew members of a downed F-15 in Iran, while Iranian media claim the rescue mission failed and show wreckage of a US aircraft. April 05, 2026 / 15:28 IST Iran claims “several US aircraft destroyed” in Isfahan, denies success of pilot rescue operation Iranian state media has shown wreckage of a US C-130 aircraft that reportedly took part in the rescue of a downed fighter pilot in southern Iran. The US said the plane became stuck and had to be destroyed, while Iranian outlets claimed it was hit and destroyed by Iranian forces.The reports appear to counter the US success in recovering the missing crew member, a mission President Donald Trump described as involving “dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons.” Trump said the airman “sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.” Analysts noted the rescue prevented the airman from becoming a “bargaining chip” for Tehran.Iran’s Tasnim News Agency cited the military headquarters, claiming “several enemy American aircraft in the southern Isfahan region were destroyed by the warriors of Islam, and the pilot rescue operation failed.”The report mentioned that two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport aircraft were hit and burning. Several Iranian outlets published videos showing smoking wreckage, though CNN could not verify their authenticity.Tasnim also accused Trump of trying to “cover up his heavy defeat” by tweeting about the special operation. Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, shared one of the images, saying “if the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined.”The US confirmed that both crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle were rescued after a multi-day operation. Trump called it “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history,” adding the second airman was found behind enemy lines with support from dozens of aircraft and special forces.If the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined. 👏 pic.twitter.com/jutDghVrjz— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 5, 2026“This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,” he said. Moneycontrol World Desk Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Iran says several 'enemy aircraft' destroyed during US pilot rescue ...
Several aircraft were destroyed in the south of Iran's Isfahan province during a U.S. mission to find a stranded airman, Iranian military officials said on Sunday.
US C-130 Shot Down or Blown Up? Iran Claims Strike, Report Points to ...
Iran claimed it downed multiple US military platforms - two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport aircraft near Isfahan - during a high-risk rescue mission. However, contradicting report suggested that the US forces destroyed disabled aircraft on the ground to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.
