TEHRAN, April 3. /TASS/. A US search-and-rescue operation to recover the pilot of an F-35 fighter jet shot down over Iran has completely failed, the Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a source.

According to its information, Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft took part in the operation. "One of the helicopters was attacked by Iranian air defense capabilities near the border and left the area of the operation," the source said.

Earlier, Iran’s General Staff said a US F-35 fighter jet had been shot down on Friday over central parts of the Islamic Republic.