U.S. forces recued an American aviator trapped in Iran in a daring mission, according to U.S. officials. The crew member had been stuck there for more than 36 hours. President Trump, in an early Sunday morning social-media post, confirmed the successful operation.
All forces involved in the rescue are safely out of Iranian airspace, according to the officials. The aviator, who hasn’t yet been named, was one of two aircrew flying in an F-15E Strike Eagle when it was shot down by Iranian forces on Friday. A U.S. military team rescued the other crew member later that day.
In saving the second aviator, the U.S. also denied Iran a propaganda victory, according to U.S. officials who had worried Tehran might capture the officer and make major demands for his return.
Two U.S. Special Operations aircraft were blown up on the ground during the rescue mission.
Trump on Saturday set a 48-hour deadline for Iran to negotiate a deal with the U.S. or open the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s military said it is rolling out new, domestically produced air-defense systems to attack aircraft.
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