US President Trump Announces Successful Rescue of F-15E Crew Member
US President Donald Trump has announced on social media that the second crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet has been successfully rescued. The president shared the news with excitement, stating, “WE GOT HIM! … I am thrilled to let you know [he] is now SAFE and SOUND.”
Earlier reports indicated that a US government official had informed Al Jazeera that the airman had been located following a “heavy firefight.” According to the New York Times, rescue planes flew the airman to Kuwait for medical treatment.
Trump highlighted the extensive efforts made by the US military in carrying out the search and rescue operation over several hours. He mentioned that dozens of aircraft armed with “the most lethal weapons in the world” were involved in the mission. While the airman sustained injuries, Trump assured the public that he would be just fine.
The rescue took place as the US-Israel war against Iran entered its 37th day. On Saturday, Trump warned Tehran that it had only 48 hours to cut a deal with the US or face potential consequences. He reiterated this threat on Sunday, warning of possible strikes on Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” he wrote.
Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Tensions
At Moscow’s request, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday about the Middle East and coordination at the UN Security Council. Wang emphasized that “the fundamental solution” to navigation risks in the Strait of Hormuz lies in achieving a ceasefire and ending the fighting as soon as possible. He added that China is prepared to stay in close contact with Russia and work through the Security Council to help ease tensions and support regional stability.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the destruction of US aircraft involved in the rescue operation, while Iran denied that it had been a success. Iranian state media claimed that the Revolutionary Guard had hit two Black Hawk helicopters and a C130 transport aircraft involved in the operation, quoting a spokesman who said that “the enemy’s desperate efforts … failed to rescue their downed fighter pilot.”
However, the New York Times cited a senior US official who reported that two transport planes involved in the operation had been blown up on the ground to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after they encountered difficulties.
Historical Significance of the Rescue
Trump hailed the rescue operation as “one of the most daring” in the country’s history. “This is the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory,” he added.
Iran claimed to have shot down two US warplanes in separate incidents on Friday, marking the first time it had done so. The second US combat plane, an A-10 Warthog, also went down near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. The pilot was rescued.
Three US aircraft were also downed by friendly fire in Kuwait early in the war. US media reported that special forces had rescued the first of the F-15E crew members. Trump claimed that the US side did not confirm details of the rescue of the first airman because they “did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation.”
He described the second pilot as being “behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down” by the Iranians. Trump added that the rescue demonstrated the US had “achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority over Iranian skies.”
Escalating Tensions and Regional Conflicts
On Saturday, Trump posted a video claiming that multiple Iranian military leaders had been “terminated” in a “massive” strike on Tehran. Ibrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, responded to Trump’s ultimatum on social media, saying: “Iran will send you and your soldiers straight to the depths of hell; where you’ve always belonged.”
During a call on Saturday with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, who is working to mediate between Washington and Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized his country’s “firm determination to continue defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity by using all its capabilities,” according to Fars.
Meanwhile, attacks continued across the Middle East. Over the weekend, Israel carried out strikes against southern Lebanon, the main support base for Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Meanwhile, the militant group claimed on Sunday that its fighters targeted an Israeli military vessel 68 nautical miles (125km) off Lebanon’s coast.
In Bahrain, a tank caught fire at a storage site of Bapco Energies on Sunday following an Iranian attack, according to the petroleum company, though no injuries were reported. Kuwait said two power generation and desalination plants in the country had been targeted by drone attacks.
