Trump says US forces rescued second F-15 pilot downed in Iran; Tehran denies
The White House says the second F-15E crew member is alive and being treated after a special-operations rescue deep inside Iran. Tehran denies the recovery and says it shot down a US aircraft hunting for the pilot. The standoff comes as Tehran’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz nears, with the US warning of strikes on power plants if the chokepoint stays blocked.
Apr 5, 2026, 3:27 AM EDT
Why it matters:
- A successful rescue deep inside Iran would be a major US military and intelligence operation, while Tehran’s denial and threats raise the risk of escalation. The timing also tightens pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy.
Driving the news:
- The United States says it has recovered the second pilot of an F-15E shot down over Iran, with Donald Trump calling the operation “one of the boldest” in US history and saying the pilot is “healthy and safe” but injured and will recover. - Tehran denies the rescue and claims it shot down a US aircraft that was searching for the pilot, according to IRNA and state media.
State of play:
- Trump says the pilot is being treated and will make a full recovery, and that no US personnel were killed or wounded in the operation. - The White House says the rescue was carried out by US special operations forces deep inside Iranian territory.
What they're saying:
- “We have recovered him! My fellow Americans, in the last hours, the United States Armed Forces carried out one of the boldest search-and-rescue operations in our country’s history… he is now healthy and safe,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. - Tehran’s IRNA and state media say the US aircraft hunting for the pilot was shot down, contradicting the US account.
Between the lines:
- The rescue comes as Tehran’s ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz nears, with the US warning it will strike Iranian power plants if the chokepoint remains blocked. - The US has already struck Iranian anti-ship missile sites near the strait, underscoring the urgency of keeping the waterway open.
What to watch:
- Whether Tehran escalates in response to the rescue claim, including further strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure or shipping.
- Any movement on the Hormuz deadline and whether the US or allies escort commercial traffic through the strait.
The bottom line:
- The US says it rescued the second F-15E pilot from inside Iran; Tehran denies it and says it downed a US aircraft, raising the stakes as Hormuz remains a flashpoint.