A missing U.S. service member aboard an F-15 fighter jet shot down during the war with Iran has been rescued safely after approximately 36 hours. U.S. special operations forces were reportedly deployed deep into Iranian territory, engaging Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces during the mission.
President Donald Trump officially confirmed on Sunday (local time) the rescue of the remaining crew member who had been missing since an F-15 crash during military operations against Iran.
Shortly after U.S. media reported the rescue, Trump posted on Truth Social: "The United States military has completed one of the most daring search and rescue missions in American history." He added, "I am very pleased to inform you that he is now safely back."
"This brave warrior was in the middle of enemy territory in Iran's rugged mountainous terrain, being pursued by our enemies who were closing in on him with every passing hour," Trump said.
The president continued: "But he was never alone. His Commander-in-Chief, Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow warriors were monitoring his location around the clock and diligently planning his rescue."
According to Axios and other U.S. political media outlets, the military successfully rescued the service member who had gone missing after the F-15 was shot down during operations against Iran.
The rescue operation was completed approximately 36 hours — spanning two calendar days — after the jet crashed the previous day. All crew members aboard the downed U.S. aircraft in Iran have now been accounted for and safely recovered.
Axios, citing three government sources, reported that U.S. special operations forces completed the rescue mission in southwestern Iran and departed the area. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the missing service member and all rescue personnel returned safely from Iran.
According to the sources, U.S. special operations forces first entered Iran on Saturday for the rescue effort and re-entered the following day, Sunday, to continue search and rescue operations.
The rescue mission did not go smoothly throughout. The IRGC rushed troops to the area where the missing service member was located in an attempt to block U.S. access. U.S. Air Force fighter jets reportedly conducted airstrikes to prevent Iranian forces from advancing, providing cover for the rescue operation.
President Trump and senior staff reportedly monitored the entire operation in real time from the White House Situation Room.
Al Jazeera had earlier reported, citing U.S. government sources, that American forces were conducting a rescue operation for the missing service member inside Iran amid intense fighting.
While the operation concluded successfully with all rescue targets returning alive, the confirmation that U.S. special operations forces were deployed directly onto Iranian soil and engaged in combat has raised expectations that military tensions between the two countries will escalate further.