Second airman rescued in Iran, Trump says

President Donald Trump says U.S. forces have rescued the missing crew member of a fighter jet that was shot down over Iran.

In a post to Truth Social early Sunday, Trump said the airman is “SAFE and SOUND” following a rescue operation that involved dozens of aircraft.

“He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,” Trump added. 

In a follow-up post hours later, Trump described the crew member as “seriously wounded.” Trump also said he would hold a press conference with military officials at the White House on Monday at 1 p.m.

The rescue came as Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Iran, threatening further strikes and demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route. In a social media post, Trump declared that “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day” in Iran and warned Tehran to “open the f---in’ Strait … or you’ll be living in hell.”

The F-15E fighter jet was downed Friday in southern Iran — the first confirmed shootdown of a U.S. warplane over Iran since the conflict began more than a month ago.

One of the two crew members aboard the aircraft was rescued earlier by U.S. forces, while the search for the other continued into a second day. 

Hundreds of special operations troops went deep into Iranian territory to recover the second missing airman, who was equipped with a beacon and a secure communication device, The New York Times reported.

After the airman was located, two transport planes sent to extract U.S. personnel became disabled at a remote Iranian air base, the Times reported. Commanders flew in three replacement aircraft and destroyed the disabled planes to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands.

U.S. aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian forces to keep them away from the area, the Times said, adding that all U.S. commandos and the missing airman returned safely.

Trump described the mission as ”one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.”

“This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone,” Trump added.

Iranian state media circulated images and video Friday that appeared to show debris from an F-15, including an ejection seat, and urged residents to report or detain any “enemy pilot.”

Also Friday, Iran claimed its air defenses hit a second U.S. aircraft in the region. Multiple U.S. outlets reported an A-10 Warthog combat plane was struck by Iranian fire, though the pilot was able to navigate the damaged plane to Kuwaiti airspace before ejecting and being rescued. 

The developments have raised new questions about the extent to which the United States has established air superiority over Iran, despite weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes that have degraded its air defenses.

However, Trump on Sunday said the successful rescues underscored U.S. control of the skies over Iran.

“The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies,” Trump said. 

Since the war began, 13 American personnel have died and at least 365 have been wounded, according to Defense Manpower Data Center figures.

Lara Korte contributed to this story.

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