Tehran claimed it had shot down an American jet involved in a search mission for a downed F-15 crew member, while Washington confirmed that the missing officer has been successfully rescued.
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Washington: Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated after Tehran claimed it had shot down an American jet involved in a search mission for a downed F-15 crew member, while Washington confirmed that the missing officer has been successfully rescued.
The rescued airman was the second member of the two-person crew aboard the F-15 aircraft. Iranian authorities had earlier claimed on Friday that their air defense systems shot down the American fighter jet.
Trump wrote on X 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, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow War Fighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue. At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.
Trump said this miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!
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Confirming the development, US President Donald Trump said the injured service member had been recovered and was expected to make a full recovery.
Trump described the operation as one of the most daring search-and-rescue missions in US military history. According to him, the mission was launched to recover a crew member officer — a highly respected colonel — who had gone missing after the aircraft was downed.
“The officer is injured but safe and sound,” Trump said while announcing the success of the mission.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about rising military tensions in the region, as both Iran and the United States closely monitor the situation. Further details about the incident and the rescue operation are expected to emerge in the coming days.
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