Trump Confirms Rescue of Second US Airman from Downed F-15 in Iran
President Donald Trump has confirmed the successful rescue of both crew members from a US F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, describing the back-to-back operations as one of the most daring search and rescue missions in American military history. The announcement came late on Saturday night, ending a desperate three-day race to locate the second airman after the aircraft was downed on Friday during military operations in Iranian territory.
Historic Military Operation
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, "WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History." He emphasised that this marked the first time in military memory that two US pilots had been retrieved separately from deep inside enemy territory. According to Trump, the second airman, identified as a colonel, was recovered from "the treacherous mountains of Iran" after being hunted by Iranian forces, sustaining injuries but expected to recover fully.
The president revealed that the first rescue had been deliberately kept secret to avoid compromising the second mission, with both operations completed without any American casualties. He cited this as proof of "overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the Iranian skies." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating she was "proud of our troops, proud of our President, proud to be an American" following the confirmation.
Escalating Regional Conflict
The rescue comes amid a widening conflict in the Gulf region, now in its sixth week. Iranian drones have targeted Kuwait, striking the oil ministry headquarters, two power and water desalination plants, and a government ministry complex early this morning. Kuwaiti state media reported significant material damage but no casualties, with two power generation units taken out of service. These attacks represent an expansion of Tehran's campaign against Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations, following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz last month after US and Israeli strikes.
Meanwhile, Trump had earlier issued a threat to Iran, giving the country 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz before "all hell" would rain down, though he appeared to confuse the spelling in his online post. He later shared footage of a "massive" strike in Tehran, claiming it had "terminated" several Iranian military leaders.
Civilian Toll and Media Restrictions
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, an Iranian NGO, released updated civilian death tallies, recording at least 272 attacks in 14 provinces on Saturday alone, with 184 people injured or killed. This brings the total civilian deaths to at least 1,616, alongside 1,213 military fatalities and 711 unclassified deaths since the conflict began.
In a related development, satellite imaging company Planet Labs announced it would indefinitely withhold images of Iran and the broader Middle East conflict zone after a US government request. The California-based firm, which operates a large fleet of Earth-imaging satellites, stated it would switch to a managed distribution model, releasing imagery only on a case-by-case basis for urgent needs or public interest. This move cuts off a significant source of independent visual intelligence, impacting journalists, researchers, and military operators who rely on such data for documentation and operations.
Ongoing Tensions and Speculation
As the war enters its 37th day, speculation has swirled online about Trump's whereabouts, with the president not seen publicly since his appearance at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. White House officials have denied any health-related issues, noting he is staying at the White House through Easter weekend and working "nonstop." His official schedule lists "Executive time" and a "Family Easter Dinner" with the First Lady on Sunday.
Iranian authorities had previously offered a bounty to anyone who handed over the missing pilot alive, according to state television, while White House officials remained largely silent on the search until the rescue was confirmed. The situation remains tense, with ongoing concerns about potential ground deployments and the broader implications for regional stability.
