Arabic version: الجيش الأمريكي ينقذ بنجاح طيارًا من إيران في عملية معقدة

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed the successful rescue of a missing American fighter jet crew member in Iran. The Air Force officer went missing after an F-15 jet was downed in a remote area of the country on Friday. While the pilot was quickly rescued, a search was initiated for the weapons systems officer.

According to Al Jazeera, Trump announced that the second airman, described as “seriously wounded” and a “brave warrior,” was retrieved from deep within Iran’s mountainous region following an intense firefight in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. The exact details of the operation remain unclear, but Trump noted that it involved two raids and lasted seven hours over Iranian territory.

The identity of the rescued airman has not been disclosed, but Trump referred to him as a highly respected Colonel. He emphasized the complexities and dangers associated with such a rescue mission, which is rarely attempted due to the risks involved.

The US military confirmed that the F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over southern Iran. Iranian state media reported the discovery of wreckage from the aircraft, including an ejection seat. Trump indicated that US forces were able to track the airman’s location throughout the mission, while Iranian authorities were also searching for him, calling on the public to assist in locating the soldier.

During the operation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have destroyed two C-130 aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters. Reports suggest that the US destroyed the C-130s on the ground to prevent them from being captured. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant US military losses, with 13 service members killed and over 300 wounded since hostilities began on February 28. However, no US personnel have been taken prisoner by Iranian forces.