Iran Claims Downing Two U.S. Black Hawk Helicopters During Airman Rescue; U.S. Confirms Successful Recovery

Iranian officials claimed that two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were downed during a U.S. rescue mission for a stranded airman inside Iranian territory, following the downing of an F-15E Strike Eagle over Iran on Friday.

The spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters called the incident a "humiliating defeat" for the U.S., comparing it to the failed 1980 Tabas rescue mission. Tasnim news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported the helicopters were brought down during clashes with U.S. special forces.

Iranian outlets circulated footage purportedly showing wreckage of two U.S. helicopters. Mizan news agency reported the downing of a U.S. transport aircraft in southern Isfahan. Iranian officials claimed the destruction of two C-130 transport aircraft and two Black Hawks, though these assertions remain unverified.

Washington and President Donald Trump confirmed the successful recovery of the U.S. airman. Reuters reported that the rescue faced heavy Iranian resistance, with two Black Hawks hit but escaping Iranian airspace and one aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces after malfunctioning.

U.S. officials noted that Iranian claims of downed aircraft are unverified. All sides agree the F-15E was shot down on Friday, the rescue succeeded despite heavy resistance, but accounts differ on aircraft losses.