New Delhi, Updated At: 05:59 AM Apr 06, 2026 IST
US President Donald Trump announced the recovery of a missing American pilot, calling it “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history,” while Iran dismissed the US account as a failure.
Trump said a senior officer, a colonel, stranded after his aircraft went down in mountainous Iranian territory, was retrieved. Though injured, the officer was “safe and sound,” Trump said. He described the high-risk mission as involving multiple aircraft and intensive planning and surveillance by senior US military leaders, with no American casualties.
US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that commandos were inserted into mountainous terrain after aerial strikes cleared the area. Hundreds of military and intelligence personnel reportedly took part, and the operation included a CIA deception to mislead potential captors.
The announcement came after reports that Iran had shot down two US military aircraft, including an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Thunderbolt II. The rescued officer was believed to be part of the F-15 crew. Trump also said another American pilot had been recovered in a separate, previously undisclosed operation the day before, calling the twin rescues unprecedented and a demonstration of US resolve to never leave a warfighter behind. He framed the missions as evidence of “overwhelming air dominance” over Iranian skies.
Iran, however, rejected the US version. State-affiliated Fars News Agency quoted the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters saying the rescue attempt had failed and that US forces lost aircraft during the operation in Isfahan province. According to the Iranian account, the combat search-and-rescue was detected and targeted by Iran’s air-defence systems. Iran claimed two C-130 transport planes and two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, along with supporting drones, were destroyed after being tracked by an integrated defence network.
