New Delhi, Apr 6, 2026 — US President Donald Trump announced the recovery of a missing American pilot, calling the mission “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history,” while Iran dismissed the US account as false.
Trump said a senior officer, a colonel whose aircraft went down in mountainous Iranian territory, was retrieved and, although injured, was “safe and sound.” He described the mission as high-risk, involving multiple aircraft, intensive planning and senior-level surveillance, and said there were no American casualties.
US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that commandos were inserted into the mountains after aerial strikes cleared the area. Hundreds of military and intelligence personnel reportedly participated, and the operation allegedly included a CIA deception intended to mislead potential captors.
The announcement followed earlier 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 a second 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,” and citing “overwhelming air dominance” over Iranian skies.
Iran rejected the US narrative. State-affiliated Fars News Agency quoted the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters as saying the rescue attempt failed and that US forces lost aircraft in Isfahan province. According to the Iranian account, the combat search-and-rescue was detected and targeted by Iran’s air-defence systems. Tehran claimed two C-130 transport planes, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and supporting drones were destroyed after being tracked by an integrated defence network.
The two accounts conflict and there is no independent verification of either narrative at this time.
