The government of Iran has called on its citizens to help locate a soldier from the United States who was aboard an F‑15E Strike Eagle that crashed on April 3, 2026, promising attractive rewards to anyone who helps capture him alive.
Reports indicate that the aircraft was brought down while flying over Iranian airspace. One of the pilots was rescued in the Persian Gulf shortly after the incident, but the weapons systems officer who was on board remains missing.
According to available information, the missing soldier is believed to be somewhere in southern Iran.
The United States military has deployed elite troops and helicopters to search for the soldier. Aircraft have been seen flying over southern Iran as part of the operation. If the search from the air fails, special units often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knives of the Air Force” may be deployed on the ground to continue the search.
Iranian forces are also racing to locate the soldier before U.S. troops can recover him. Officials believe capturing the American serviceman alive would be a significant symbolic victory, as no U.S. soldier has been captured since the conflict between the two countries escalated on February 28, 2026.
Local media outlets in the province of Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province have reportedly been given a notice urging residents to capture the soldier and hand him over to the police.
The announcement stated that anyone who captures the “enemy pilot” alive and delivers him to authorities will receive a substantial reward.
According to BBC, the reward promised to citizens amounts to about $66,100.
