Gambiaj.com – (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. forces have successfully rescued an American service member who had been missing after a fighter jet was shot down inside Iran, with Donald Trump describing the mission as a complex operation carried out behind enemy lines.
In a social media post early Sunday, Trump announced that the airman—who had been stranded in Iran’s mountainous terrain after the crash of a McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle on Friday—was safely recovered during a large-scale search-and-rescue mission involving dozens of aircraft.
“This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,” Trump wrote shortly after midnight Washington time.
The president said the aviator sustained injuries but is expected to recover. “He will be just fine,” Trump added, noting that U.S. forces had been tracking the airman’s location around the clock while carefully planning the rescue.
According to Trump, no American personnel were killed or wounded during the operation. A second crew member from the downed aircraft had already been rescued earlier.
Rescue Operation Amid Escalating War
The dramatic recovery came after a frantic U.S. search effort was launched following Friday’s crash. Iranian authorities had reportedly promised a reward for anyone who captured or handed over the American pilot.
The incident occurred as tensions intensified in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has now entered its sixth week.
The downing of the U.S. fighter jet marked a rare instance in which American military aircraft were struck by enemy fire, raising concerns about the escalating risks faced by U.S. forces.
Reports also surfaced of a second American aircraft incident. Iranian state media claimed that an Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II crashed in the Persian Gulf after being hit by Iranian defense systems, although it remains unclear whether the aircraft was shot down or suffered another form of malfunction.
Threats Continue as Deadline Looms
Despite the losses, Trump insisted last week that Iran’s military capabilities and defense infrastructure have been “absolutely destroyed” following weeks of sustained U.S. strikes.
However, he warned that Washington is prepared to intensify its attacks if Tehran refuses to comply with a U.S. ultimatum to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by Monday.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and gas exports, and disruptions there have already rattled global markets and pushed fuel prices higher.
The war, which began with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, has since expanded into a broader regional confrontation. Thousands have reportedly been killed, shipping routes disrupted and energy markets thrown into turmoil as both sides continue to exchange threats and military strikes across the region.
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