Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced the successful recovery of an American pilot who had been stranded inside Iranian territory, calling the mission one of the most audacious rescue operations undertaken by US forces.
According to Trump, the officer—identified as a senior-ranking colonel—was located and brought back after his aircraft went down in the mountainous regions of Iran during ongoing hostilities. He stated that the pilot, though injured, is now safe following the high-risk operation.
The President said the rescue involved coordinated efforts using multiple aircraft and was carried out under close monitoring by top military officials. He added that the mission was completed without any American casualties.
The development comes in the wake of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly after reports that Iranian forces had shot down two US military aircraft, including an F-15E fighter jet and an A-10 aircraft. The rescued officer is believed to have been part of the crew of the downed F-15.
Trump also disclosed that another US pilot had been recovered in a separate mission earlier, but the information was initially withheld to ensure the success of the second operation. He described the dual rescues as unprecedented, highlighting them as a demonstration of US military capability in hostile environments.
Reinforcing his stance, Trump said the operations underscored America’s commitment to its armed forces, asserting that no service member would be left behind.
There has been no official response from Iranian authorities regarding the claims, and independent verification of the operations remains limited. Meanwhile, the broader conflict continues to intensify, with tensions showing no immediate signs of easing.
