The second American pilot who had been missing since Friday after his plane crashed in Iran was rescued in a military operation, according to President Donald Trump on Sunday. The pilot is now “safe and sound.” [Context: The American fighter-bomber F-15E crashed in southwest Iran, and both occupants were ejected. The Iranian military claimed to have shot down the plane and a reward was offered for the capture of the second occupant, who was rescued in a special operation by American forces.]
“In the last hours, the U.S. Army conducted one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history to assist one of our incredible crew officers, who is also a highly respected colonel, and I am delighted to announce that he is now SAFE AND SOUND!” President Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. The military officer was injured, and the rescue operation involved “dozens of aircraft.” [Fact Check: The pilot is safe, but the exact details of the operation are still unfolding.]
Iran claimed to have shot down an American aircraft participating in search operations, according to the Tasnim news agency citing the Revolutionary Guards. Washington did not immediately respond. Since the start of the war, no American soldier has been killed or captured on Iranian soil, but 13 have died in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. [Context: Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated, leading to military confrontations.]
On the 37th day of the war triggered on February 28 by an Israeli-American offensive against Iran, Iran attacked Gulf countries and Israel on Sunday, a day before the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum given by Donald Trump to Tehran to conclude an agreement or reopen the strategic strait of Hormuz, under threat of “unleashing hell.” [Context: The conflict has intensified between the involved parties with increasing military actions.]
