US Airman Injured but Safe After Rescue from Inside Iran, Trump Says

Donald Trump, the US president, confirmed on social media that a second American crew member missing in Iran following the downing of an F-15 fighter jet has been rescued. The weapons systems officer, he stated, “sustained injuries” but will “be just fine.” Trump hailed the mission as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history,” emphasizing its significance.

Rescue Operation Details

On Friday, the F-15 was shot down, prompting both the pilot and crew member to eject. The pilot was recovered shortly after, but the second airman remained unaccounted for in a mountainous area of southwestern Iran. The US and Iran launched extensive efforts to locate the missing individual, with the situation posing a risk of a prisoner of war scenario if the airman were captured.

Trump said dozens of aircraft were involved in the operation, and the White House withheld updates after the pilot’s recovery to protect the ongoing mission.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly mobilized troops and local residents to search for the American, offering a reward of approximately $66,000 for his live capture. Social media videos depicted hundreds of people converging on the mountainous terrain, raising questions about the scale of the search.

Challenges and Engagement

The rescue operation, described as “huge” by a source familiar with the details, included an A-10 Warthog aircraft that was hit over the Gulf. Its pilot ejected before being rescued. During the mission, the CIA played a critical role by tracking the airman in a mountain crevice and relaying his precise location to the Pentagon.

Reports indicate the agency executed a deception campaign, spreading the claim that the airman had already been found to mislead Iranian forces.

The IRGC previously stated that nomadic tribes in the country’s mountainous regions had shot down two Black Hawk helicopters during the rescue attempt. BBC Verify confirmed a video from Friday showing three armed individuals firing at the helicopters. Officials told CBS News that the crew member spent over 24 hours hiding in the mountains with a handgun before being located.

Regional Conflicts Continue

As the rescue unfolded, regional tensions remained high. On Sunday, authorities in Abu Dhabi reported battling fires at a Borouge petrochemical facility due to debris from an Iranian missile. Overnight into Sunday, attacks were also reported on Kuwait and Israel.