Trump threatens to jail journalist over Iran rescue mission leak

US President Donald Trump has threatened to jail the journalist who first reported details of the rescue mission for the two crew members of the US F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran last week, unless they reveal their source. Speaking at a White House press conference alongside top defense officials, Trump asserted that leaks alerted Iranian forces and endangered the life of the weapons systems officer, who was rescued after a complex operation involving over 150 aircraft.

Trump stated that the government had hoped to keep the second airman's disappearance secret to prevent capture by Iran. However, after multiple news outlets reported one crew member was still missing, the president blamed leaks for significantly complicating the mission. "It became a much more difficult operation because a leaker leaked," Trump said. "All of a sudden, the entire country of Iran knew that there was a pilot on their land fighting for his life."

The rescue mission involved an immense armada of 155 US aircraft, including four bombers, 64 fighter jets, 48 refueling tankers, and 13 specialized rescue aircraft. It also included hundreds of special operations troops, such as Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos, inserted to extract the stranded airman. Despite the mission's success with no American lives lost, the US suffered significant material losses, including planes deliberately destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

Trump did not identify the outlet or reporter he called "a sick person," but a White House official said an investigation is underway. The president also used the briefing to issue a new ultimatum to Iran, threatening to destroy the country's civilian infrastructure unless Tehran agrees to reopen negotiations.