Iran destroys US plane in search for pilot

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) announced Sunday that several "flying objects" were destroyed during a U.S. mission to rescue an airman from a downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran.

"Enemy flying objects were destroyed during the joint operation," the group said after the Iranian police command announced that a U.S. C-130 was shot down in southern Isfahan. Two Black Hawk helicopters were also said to be destroyed. The Iranian military confirmed it had shot down an Israeli drone in the same province.

An U.S. official, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity about the sensitive military situation, reported the downing of another U.S. plane as recently as Friday.

Iranian state media said the U.S. A-10 attack plane crashed in the Persian Gulf after it was hit by the Iranian Defense Forces.

(reuters, ap)