Iran fighter plane crashes near border, pilot's fate unknown

An Iranian fighter jet went down on Wednesday in rth of country, near border with Azerbaijan, Iran’s state television reported. fate of pilot was t immediately kwn.

TV reported that crash happened in Sabalan mountaius region and that rescue teams and three search helicopters were looking for pilot who was said to have contacted his base following crash. fighter jet was a recently overhauled MiG-29. pilot was test flying plane and h taken off from Tabriz air base in rthwestern Iran earlier in day.An investigation was underway into cause of crash, report also said.

Iran’s air force has an assortment of U.S.-me military aircraft purchased before 1979 Islamic Revolution. It also has Russian-me MiG and Sukhoi planes. Deces of Western sanctions have me it hard to maintain aging fleet.