Trump says US forces rescued wounded F-15 pilot from Iran
The White House said the second crew member of a downed F-15 was recovered after a high-risk search-and-rescue mission, while Iran denied the rescue and claimed it shot down US aircraft during the operation.
Apr 5, 2026, 12:50 AM EDT
Why it matters: A downed US pilot in enemy territory and a disputed rescue operation raise the stakes in the Middle East war, testing US reach and Iran’s ability to contest US operations.
Driving the news:
- President Donald Trump said US forces located and rescued with the life the second crew member of an F-15 shot down in Iran, describing the mission as one of the most audacious search-and-rescue operations in the country’s history.
- He said the pilot was “gravely wounded” but “safe and sound,” and that no US service members were killed or injured during the operation.
State of play:
- Iran’s IRNA and Tasnim news agencies said the rescue attempt failed and that US aircraft were shot down during the operation, including two C-130 transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters, according to a Central Command spokesperson.
- Iran also said at least five people were killed and several wounded in the fighting around the operation, citing local authorities in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.
What they're saying:
- “We have him!... one of our incredible crew officers... is now safe and sound,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding, “We will never leave an American soldier behind”.
- A US official told Reuters Israel assisted the operation with intelligence support, according to a senior Israeli official cited by Reuters.
By the numbers:
- The F-15 was shot down over Iranian territory for the first time since the war began on Feb. 28, with one crew member previously rescued and the second missing until the reported Sunday recovery.
- Trump said the mission took place in the “treacherous mountains of Iran,” with enemy forces closing in while US teams tracked the pilot’s location.
Reality check:
- Iran’s claims of shooting down US aircraft and of a failed rescue are not independently verified, and the US has not provided details on losses or the operation’s scope.
What to watch:
- Whether Washington and Tehran provide further details on casualties, aircraft losses, and the timeline of the rescue, and if any de-escalation follows the reported recovery.
The bottom line: A disputed rescue of a wounded F-15 crew member has intensified the information war and raised the risk of further escalation in the Middle East.