JERUSALEM -- Israel's Channel 12 News and other Israeli media outlets on Friday reported that the pilot of the US fighter jet that was shot down in Iranian airspace was safely rescued.

The outlets added that the fate of the navigator who was on the jet was unknown.

The channel also reported that the Israeli military has canceled strikes in the area in Iran, where searches are being conducted for the navigator, citing a senior Israeli official.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that Israel is assisting the United States with intelligence in locating the jet's crew.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said that the aircraft was hit by advanced air defence systems operated by its aerospace division.

The development came amid heightened regional tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US military assets in neighboring Gulf countries.