Iran has been known to circumvent international sanctions through European and Central Asian countries importing dual-use technology and military technology from North America and Europe to manufacture missiles and drones.
The regime establishes short-lived entities in countries with limited transparency—notably in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia), and Central Asia—to purchase Western components.
Based on reports from April 3-4, 2026, one crew member of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet was rescued after the aircraft was downed over southern Iran, specifically in the Khuzestan province. The jet went down near Behbahan, Iran.
Iran has deployed short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems, including the 15th Khordad, Azarakhsh, and Arman, to protect critical infrastructure, specifically around Tehran, Esfahan, Natanz, Bushehr, and Bandar Abbas. These systems are designed for point defense against aerial threats, often co-located with medium/long-range systems.
One of the two crew members was rescued by U.S. forces, while a search continued for the second member.
A separate U.S. A-10 Warthog involved in the rescue operation was also hit, leading to its pilot ejecting over the Persian Gulf and subsequently being rescued.
There’s been little update today on the downing of the jet, or the operation to rescue the missing American crew member.
We know that a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over southern Iran on Friday, according to US media reports.
The pilot – one of two crew members typical for an F-15E – has been rescued by US forces, say reports.
A helicopter carrying the rescued pilot from the F-15E was hit by small arms fire, which Iran has attributed to its nation’s nomadic tribes, injuring the crew before it landed safely.
Separately, a US A-10 Warthog aircraft that was part of the search and rescue mission for the downed jet was also shot and damaged, however its pilot was safely rescued, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
Iran says it has shot down an American A-10 Warthog – it’s not known if this is the same plane.
Iran’s top joint military command says new Iranian air defence systems were responsible. Iranian officials are also offering around £50,000 ($66,100) for capturing alive any crew member of the downed US plane still not rescued, according to state media.
We don’t know the status of the US search-and-rescue mission, or what has happened to the weapons officer that would also have been on board the downed F-15E.
The US has also not provided any official updates on the mission, other than officials speaking anonymously to US media outlets.
US President Trump has also made no public statement about the incident.
Early reports indicate that the pilot of a US F-15 fighter aircraft downed over Iran was rescued – which, if confirmed, would be the latest in the long history of US combat search-and-rescue missions over decades.
The search operation is ongoing deep inside Iran for a second crew member, according to CBS, the BBC’s US partner.
Combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions are considered among the most complex, time-sensitive operations that US and allied militaries prepare for.
In the US, elite units of the air force are specially trained for CSAR missions and are often pre-emptively deployed near conflict areas where aircraft could be lost.
Verified video that emerged from Iran on Friday appeared to show US military helicopters and at least one refuelling aircraft operating over Iran’s Khuzestan province.
About Majid air defense weapon system
The Majid air defence weapon system, also known as AD-08, is a short-range, low-altitude surface-to-air missile system developed by Iran’s defence industries organisation, using western components, and can target drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and other low-maneuvering targets.
The Majid weapon system consists of four main components: an L3Harris Wescam MX series electro-optical system for target identification and tracking, a fire control command system, a launcher with four missile compartments and AD-08 air defense missiles. The main component of this system is the target detection and tracking mechanism, in which an electro-optical system identifies targets and guides the system.
The system has a detection range of 15 km and can monitor a full 360 degrees horizontally as well as an altitude range of 0 to 12 degrees. The missiles used in the Majid system, known as AD-08 missiles, can engage targets at a maximum range of 8 km and an altitude of up to 6 km.
How does Iran get Canadian EOTS?
Canada is a global hub for electro-optical targeting systems (EOTS) and infrared (EO/IR) sensors, primarily led by L3Harris WESCAM and GSCI Advanced Photonics. These companies design and manufacture advanced, combat-proven imaging sensors for airborne, maritime, and ground platforms, with extensive exports to military and law-enforcement agencies worldwide.
Iran uses a decentralized system of intermediaries to obscure the true end-user of sensitive goods.
The regime establishes short-lived entities in countries with limited transparency—notably in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia), and Central Asia—to purchase Western components.
Goods are often routed through multiple countries with weak export controls to create complex, commercially impractical shipping routes that frustrate tracking.
Shipments are frequently mislabeled as “civilian” or “medical” products. For example, drone components may be imported under general electronics or toy labels.
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