DUBAI, April 5 (Reuters) - Several "flying objects" were destroyed during the U.S. mission to find a stranded airman in Iran, the Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday according to Tasnim news agency.
Iran says several 'enemy aircraft' destroyed during US pilot rescue mission
Details Emerge on US Rescue Operation and Aircraft Losses
DUBAI, April 5 (Reuters) - Several aircraft were destroyed in the south of Iran's Isfahan province during a U.S. mission to find a stranded airman, Iranian military officials said on Sunday.
Background of the Incident
U.S. officials told Reuters late on Saturday that a second airman whose F-15 jet was downed on Friday in Iran was rescued, a day after the first crew member was recovered.
Aircraft Destroyed During Rescue Mission
"Additional investigations by experts on the ground revealed that two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters of the US army were destroyed by our forces," the spokesperson of the unified command of Iranian armed forces said.
Claims of Downed Drones
Separate statements by the Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards said an Israeli Hermes-900 drone as well as a U.S. MQ-9 drone were downed in Isfahan province.
Verification and Search Operations
Reuters could not immediately verify the Iranian accounts.
Scope of US Search Efforts
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said U.S. search operations were conducted from Saturday evening in three different provinces, namely Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, and Isfahan.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Christina Fincher)
