Iranian state media reported that at least five people were killed during a joint U.S.-Israeli operation aimed at rescuing an American pilot in the region. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday near the city of Kermanshah, according to Iranian officials.

The Iranian military claimed the operation was a violation of its sovereignty and condemned the actions as aggressive. “Such attacks will not go unanswered,” a spokesperson stated.

The U.S. and Israeli governments have not yet commented on the Iranian claims. The operation reportedly involved airstrikes targeting specific locations believed to harbor insurgents linked to the pilot’s capture.

Iranian authorities have described the deceased as civilians, although further details on their identities were not immediately available. The U.S. pilot remains unaccounted for.

This incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Relations have been strained for years due to disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and its military influence in the region.

Background on U.S.-Iran relations indicates a long history of hostility, particularly following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Recent military actions have raised concerns about potential wider conflicts involving regional allies.

Source: news source