Iran says several 'enemy aircraft' destroyed during US pilot rescue mission

The jets were downed during US mission to find stranded airman, IRGC says

A still image purporting to show US aircraft destroyed during the US mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said according to Iranian media, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Isfahan, Iran, released on Apr 5, 2026. Social Media/via REUTERS

Several aircraft were destroyed during the US mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday according to Tasnim News Agency.

"During a joint operation (Aerospace, Ground Force, Popular Units, Basij and Police command), enemy aircraft were destroyed," the group said after Iran's police command announced an American C-130 plane had been downed in the south of Isfahan.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran's army also said they had downed an Israeli drone in the same province.