Media outlets affiliated with Iran have reported that a U.S. military C-130 aircraft was shot down in Isfahan province. Fars News Agency, which is close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported on Sunday (April 5) that the aircraft was targeted by a unit referred to as the “Faraj Rangers.” According to these media reports, the aircraft was conducting refueling operations and participating in a search and rescue mission for a U.S. officer. However, U.S. officials have not confirmed this claim so far. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that during the rescue operation for the pilot of an F-15 fighter jet, a C-130 aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were targeted. U.S. officials have also not confirmed this claim. In contrast, a U.S. military official told The New York Times that two transport aircraft experienced problems at a remote base in Iran, and U.S. forces destroyed the aircraft to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands. Earlier, the crash of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet in Iran had been confirmed, and reports indicated that both of its pilots were rescued.
