Original Source
US Rescue Operation in Iran Succeeds, Trump Declares 'Victory'
US Military Successfully Rescues Airman in Iran
President Donald Trump announced the successful rescue operation of an F-15 airman shot down in Iran. The operation involved extracting a weapons service officer who had evaded Iranian forces for over 24 hours deep within Iranian territory. The airman intermittently signaled his location to US forces using a GPS device, hoping to avoid Iranian interception. According to a report by The New York Times, the operation included a deception plan by the CIA to draw Iranian forces away from the airman's hiding place.
Special Forces Deployment and Iran's Claims
Dozens of US special forces were deployed in the operation, with boots on the ground and aircraft involved. US media reported that drones fired on Iranian military-aged men who were thought to pose a threat within three kilometers of the stranded airman. US forces also reportedly used bombs and cover fire to keep Iranian forces at bay. Iranian state TV aired a video claiming to show parts of US aircraft they had shot down, asserting that the US operation was foiled. However, the Pentagon confirmed that two planes were unable to take off and were thus destroyed on Iranian soil before evacuating the remaining troops.
*Source: YouTube: France 24 English (2026-04-05)*
