New Delhi, Apr 5: The missing American crew member from a US fighter jet downed over Iran on Friday has been successfully rescued, President Donald Trump announced, in a development amid escalating hostilities in the region, according to reports cited by the BBC.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.” He confirmed that the airman is now “SAFE and SOUND”, adding that the operation was conducted “without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded”.
The rescued officer, described by Trump as “a highly respected Colonel”, had been stranded “behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies,” even as US forces “were monitoring his location 24 hours a day”. The airman, a weapon systems officer, was aboard an F-15 fighter jet that was shot down in southern Iran. The pilot had been rescued earlier, though Trump said that the operation was not immediately disclosed “because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation”.
“He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,” Trump said, calling the mission “miraculous”. He added, “WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!” According to BBC reporting, the high-risk rescue mission involved an “engagement” between US and Iranian forces. Trump said the military had “sent dozens of aircraft” to carry out the operation in difficult terrain.
The search had turned into a race against time, with Iranian authorities and civilians also attempting to locate the missing crew member. Iranian officials reportedly offered a bounty of around $66,000 for his capture “alive”, while videos circulating online showed large crowds combing mountainous areas believed to be in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.
The rescue comes amid intensifying conflict between the US and Iran, with both sides trading warnings of further escalation. Trump had earlier threatened increased strikes if Iran did not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, an ultimatum Tehran has so far rejected.
In a separate post, Trump also claimed a “massive strike” on Tehran, stating that “many of Iran’s Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else,” though no independent confirmation or response from Iran was immediately available. Signing off his message, Trump wrote: “GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!”
