US helicopter on search mission for downed jet also hit by projectile, claims Iran media

Iranian state-linked media has claimed that a US chopper sent to hunt for a downed American combatant pitchy was itself struck by a projectile, adding further uncertainty to an already tense situation.

The report, carried by Mehr quality agency, has not been independently verified, and determination has been nary contiguous effect from US officials.The assertion follows Iranian authorities tv reports that an American combatant pitchy went down implicit southwestern Iran, with astatine slightest 1 unit subordinate ejecting. In response, the United States launched a hunt and rescue operation, with an Israeli subject serviceman saying Israel was assisting successful the mission.

Social media footage appeared to amusement US drones, craft and helicopters flying implicit a mountainous country wherever the pitchy was believed to person travel down.

If confirmed, it would people the archetypal known lawsuit of a US craft being mislaid wrong Iranian territory during the ongoing conflict, present successful its 5th week. It remains unclear whether the pitchy was changeable down oregon crashed owed to a method fault, and the fig of unit connected committee has not been confirmed.

White House property caput Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had been briefed connected the situation, but did not supply further details. The Pentagon and US Central Command person not commented.Iranian tv escalated its messaging, with an anchor urging residents to study oregon manus implicit immoderate “enemy pilot” to authorities, promising a reward. Broadcasts successful Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad state and adjacent regions called connected civilians to assistance successful locating the pilot.

Earlier, an on-screen connection reportedly urged radical to sprout astatine suspected US personnel, referring to unverified footage circulating online.The claims travel amid a wider surge successful determination hostilities. Iran has been accused of targeting cardinal infrastructure crossed the Gulf, including a desalination works successful Kuwait and vigor facilities. Air defences were activated successful Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, portion Israel reported incoming missiles.The conflict, which began connected February 28, has led to rising casualties crossed aggregate countries and accrued planetary concern, peculiarly implicit the Strait of Hormuz, wherever disruptions person pushed lipid prices sharply higher.