American F-15 shot down over Iran: What are the Geneva Convention rules for prisoners of war?
Iran has reportedly shot down an American F-15 over its territory and issued a reward for the capture of the fighter jet’s crew.
A dire situation has arisen in the Israeli and U.S. war on Iran, which is now in its second month. There are reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has shot down an American F-15 in the south of the country.
The two-man crew is said to have successfully ejected from the fighter jet, but a reward has been put out for their capture. A combat search-and-rescue mission has been launched by the US Air Force to locate and extract the downed airmen before that happens.
If the Iranians get their hands on them first, they would become the first prisoners of war in this conflict.
BREAKING - DEVELOPING:
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 3, 2026
American fighter jet shot down, and Iran is trying to capture the pilot while the U.S. launches a massive search and rescue operation
Seems Iran shot down an F-15 fighter jet, and is trying to captured the pilot
A massive American search operation is… pic.twitter.com/bxvpeYZsyT
What are the Geneva Convention rules for prisoners of war?
The Islamic Republic is a signatory of the Geneva Convention which among other things dictates how Prisoners of War (POWs) are supposed to be treated. These rules are applicable “to all cases of declared war or of any other armed conflict” and “even if the state of war is not recognized” by one of the parties involved.
The Geneva Convention states that POWs “shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.”
In general terms, POWs are to be protected from tortured and violence. Also, they must be provided adequate food and shelter in a safe place along with medical care when needed.
They may be held for the duration of the hostilities but must be released and repatriated at the cessation of the conflict.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment