Although the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) previously denied that an aircraft had been shot down, an Axios report confirmed that Iranian forces successfully downed an F-15 aircraft. Earlier, the news was reported by Iranian media such as Tasnim and Fars, while official U.S. confirmation was lacking. Axios also noted, corroborating earlier reports from Iranian media, that a search is underway for the pilot and co-pilot of this aircraft, who are located on Iranian territory. In addition to U.S. forces, local Iranian military troops are searching for the pilot and co-pilot, whose fate remains unknown. This marks the first time since the start of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that the country's forces have managed to shoot down an aircraft belonging to the U.S. military. Previously, several F-15 aircraft were shot down over Kuwait, and it was later stated that the incident was caused by "friendly fire," meaning Kuwaiti air defense had downed these aircraft. Additionally, Iranian forces previously claimed to have damaged an F-35 aircraft, but that aircraft managed to land safely at one of the U.S. bases in the region.