The Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said in a statement read out on state television on Saturday (April 4) it used a new air defence system on Friday (April 3), which it said targeted a U.S. fighter jet, three drones and two cruise missiles.

"The enemy should know that we rely on new air defense systems built by the young, knowledgeable, and proud people of this country, unveiling them one after another in the field," a Khatam al-Anbiya spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, said.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted various areas in Israel in a wave of missiles and drones. They also targeted U.S. HIMARS rocket launcher batteries in Kuwait and Patriot missile batteries in Bahrain, according to a statement read on state TV.

Zolfaqari said the country would "definitely achieve full control" over its airspace.

Iranian fire brought down a two-seat U.S. F-15E jet, officials in both countries said, while two U.S. officials said the pilot ejected from an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft that crashed in Kuwait after being hit by Iranian fire.

Two Black Hawk helicopters engaged in the search for the missing pilot were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two U.S. officials told Reuters.

The scale of injuries to the crew was unclear but the incidents show the risks still facing U.S. and Israeli aircraft over Iran, despite assertions by President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that U.S. forces had total control of the skies.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was combing a southwestern area near where the pilot's plane came down, while the regional governor promised a commendation for anyone who captured or killed "forces of the hostile enemy."

The prospect of a U.S. service member alive and on the run in Iran comes days after Trump threatened to bomb Iran "back to the Stone Ages" in a war that has killed thousands, sparked an energy crisis and threatens lasting damage to the world economy.

With Iran's leadership defiant since the start of the war, its foreign minister in principle left the door open for holding peace talks with the U.S. via mediation from Pakistan, but gave no sign of Tehran's willingness to bow to Trump's demands.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

UNKNOWN LOCATION (RELEASED APRIL 4, 2026) (IRINN - No use Iran. No use BBC Persian. No use VOA Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International. No use Radio Farda.) (AUDIO AS INCOMING)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS' (IRGC) KHATAM AL-ANBIYA CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS, EBRAHIM ZOLFAQARI, SAYING:

"Friday, April 3, on the 35th day of the war imposed by U.S. Zionist enemies, was a day of great pride for the country’s air defence units. The brave fighters of Islam delivered powerful, rapid and precise blows to enemy fighter jets, helicopters, drones and other aircraft, shooting down a significant number of them."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS' (IRGC) KHATAM AL-ANBIYA CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS, EBRAHIM ZOLFAQARI, SAYING:

"Friday, which should be called a “Black Friday” of humiliation for the American and Zionist enemies, saw the IRGC Aerospace Force’s new air defence system shoot down one advanced fifth generation U.S. F 35 fighter jet, three strategic drones including MQ9 and Hermes models, and two radar evading cruise missiles.

A new air defence system operated by the IRGC Aerospace Force also shot down one advanced A10 fighter aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters using the weapons at their disposal. In addition, the army’s air defence units, operating under the country’s integrated air defence network, shot down another advanced A10 fighter jet."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS' (IRGC) KHATAM AL-ANBIYA CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS, EBRAHIM ZOLFAQARI, SAYING:

"As we had previously stated, we demonstrate our capabilities on the battlefield. The enemy should know that we rely on new air defense systems built by the young, knowledgeable, and proud people of this country, unveiling them one after another in the field. We will certainly achieve full control of our country’s skies and prove the humiliation of the weak enemy to the world more than ever."