US officials have confirmed the crash of a military aircraft after Iran claimed it shot down an F-35 stealth fighter near its border, with both sides launching efforts to locate the missing pilot.

According to The New York Times and Reuters, senior US officials acknowledged the aircraft’s loss, speaking on condition of anonymity, but said the status of the pilot remains unknown.

The US Department of Defence and Central Command have yet to issue an official statement.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Friday that a domestically developed air defence system brought down the advanced fighter jet in a border province.

US forces reportedly initiated a search and recovery operation, deploying Black Hawk helicopters and C-130 aircraft to locate and extract the pilot, believed to have ejected. The operation, however, was unsuccessful.

Iranian and international media have carried conflicting accounts. Some reports suggest the pilot safely ejected and landed inside Iranian territory, while others claim he may have been captured by Iranian forces. These claims remain unverified.

Tasnim News Agency reported that intelligence points to the pilot’s possible presence in a southwestern border region.

Separate reports, citing sources, suggested he may be in Iranian custody, though no confirmation has been provided.

Local residents were also reported to have approached the crash site in private vehicles.

Iranian authorities urged civilians not to harm the pilot if found, while some outlets reported a reward had been announced for locating him.

According to Iran’s semi-official ISNA agency, the governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said individuals capturing the crew would be given special rewards and recognition.

The incident marks a rare and significant development since the escalation that began with strikes on Iran on February 28.

If formally confirmed by the US military, this would be the second F-35 loss claimed by Iran during the current conflict.

Iranian officials say multiple US aircraft have been downed since the start of hostilities, including F-15s, F-16s and an F-18, though US authorities have acknowledged far fewer losses.

Earlier reports indicated that one F-35 made an emergency landing at a US base in the Gulf, with damage reportedly severe enough to affect its operational status.