The search was launched after two US ​warplanes were downed over Iran and the Gulf on Friday, with two pilots rescued and a third still missing and being hunted ‌by Tehran’s forces.

Iran’s regional governor promised a commendation for anyone who captured or ​killed “forces of the hostile enemy.”

Iranians, who have been pummelled by American air power for weeks, posted gleeful messages celebrating the plane downings.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on X that the ​US and Israel’s war had been “downgraded from regime change“ to a hunt for their pilots.

Iranian media reported that a substantial cash reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of a missing US pilot.

According to widely circulated reports, the reward has been set at around £50,000 (approximately $66,100) — a figure significantly higher than Iran’s estimated average monthly salary, which ranges between £150 and £230.

Videos shared on social media appear to show armed civilians taking part in the search across southern provinces.

In footage said to be from Khuzestan Province, groups of men carrying firearms and waving the Iranian flag can be seen combing rural areas.

In one unverified clip, an individual is heard saying, “God willing, we will find him,” as the group continues its search.

The authenticity of the videos has not been independently confirmed.

The planes’ downing showed the risks faced by US and Israeli aircraft over Iran despite assertions from US President Donald Trump and his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that their forces had total control of the skies.

The first plane, a two-seat US F-15E jet, was shot down by Iranian fire, officials in both countries said.

The second plane, an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft, was hit by Iranian fire and crashed over Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting, two US ​officials said.

Two Blackhawk helicopters involved in the search effort for the missing pilot were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two US officials told ​Reuters.

The degree of injuries among the crew of the aircraft remained unclear.

The status and whereabouts of the missing F-15E crew member was not ⁠publicly known.

Trump has been in the White House receiving updates on the search-and-rescue operation, a senior administration official told Reuters.

The Pentagon and US Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.