President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue of a missing US weapons officer whose F-15E jet was shot down over Iran.
The operation, described by Trump as one of the “most daring Search and Rescue missions in U.S. history,” ensured the officer is now safe and receiving medical care.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the missing officer, a highly respected colonel, was safely retrieved after the US military executed a meticulously planned rescue mission.
“WE GOT HIM! …he is now SAFE and SOUND!” Trump wrote, adding that the officer sustained injuries but will recover fully.
The President credited the success to US air superiority, stating, “The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.”
Operation details
According to Trump, the US military monitored the officer’s location around the clock. Dozens of aircraft equipped with “the most lethal weapons in the world” were deployed to secure the rescue.
The operation comes after the officer ejected from his F-15E following Iran’s claim of downing the aircraft—the first such incident since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. Iran also claimed to have shot down an A-10 Warthog near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.
Trump’s warnings to Iran
Earlier, Trump issued a stern message to Tehran, giving the country two days to “make a deal or open the Hormuz Strait,” threatening attacks on energy and desalination facilities. Iranian officials dismissed the threat, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi calling it a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.”
While Trump has signaled readiness for continued military action, US officials also emphasize a preference for diplomacy, despite escalating attacks.
Experts warn that the downing of the F-15E illustrates Iran’s capability to strike US aircraft, challenging claims of complete US air dominance.
Marina Miron, a researcher at King’s College London, said, “Now we have a visible example that Iran still has the capability to target and successfully shoot down US aircraft… Any US efforts to rescue the pilot risk casualties and could escalate military tensions further.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s openness to diplomacy while rejecting a 15-point plan proposed by the US, highlighting ongoing stalled negotiations.
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