US warplane pilot rescued from Iran – Trump announces
Both crew members of the downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran have been rescued in separate operations, President Trump confirmed. One was recovered shortly after the incident, the other after a days-long search.
President Donald Trump has announced that both crew members of the US F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran on Friday have been rescued. The aircraft was downed during a combat mission over Iran's southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, with officials previously remaining tight-lipped about rescue efforts.
According to US media reports, one crew member was recovered shortly after the incident, while the search for the weapons systems officer continued throughout Sunday. Trump confirmed on Truth Social that the second crew member had finally been found, describing the operation as "one of the most daring" in US military history.
The president detailed that the crew member had been hiding "in the treacherous mountains of Iran" while "being hunted down by our enemies." At his direction, the US military deployed dozens of aircraft armed with "the most lethal weapons in the world" to retrieve him. Although injured, he is expected to make a full recovery.
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian media reported heavy fighting between US commandos and Iran's Basij paramilitary force in the area where the crew member was believed to be hiding. Iranian officials had announced a reward for his capture, with civilians reportedly joining the search. In a separate incident on Friday, a US A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter jet was hit by Iranian fire, but the pilot ejected and was also rescued.
