US-Iran war update: Donald Trump declares second missing US airman rescued in extensive mission
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that a missing airman has been rescued following a massive military operation.
The risky search and rescue mission for the F-15 crew had entered its second day; commentators predicted a terrible turn in the war if the man was captured by Iran.
As for Truth Social, Mr. Trump said, “WE GOT IT!” he said.
“My fellow Americans, in the last few hours the United States Army conducted one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History for one of our incredible Crew Members, who was also a highly respected Colonel, and I am excited to inform you that he is now SAFE and LOUD,” he wrote on the platform.
He claimed that the rescue marked the first time in “military memory” that two US pilots had been rescued separately in “deep” enemy territory.
Mr. Trump said his military sent dozens of planes to rescue the unidentified airman, who was injured but was in “good condition,” according to the president.
Part of the rescue operation involved military personnel monitoring the airman’s location 24 hours a day.
The US President announced that he refrained from approving the rescue of the first pilot in order not to jeopardize the second rescue operation.
“We will never leave an American warrior behind,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Mr. Trump continued to boast about his military’s prowess, saying the success of the rescue mission pointed to the “overwhelming” superiority of the U.S. air force over the skies over Iran.
This comes after the US President gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum. He warned Iranian officials that “hell will rain down on them” if an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not reached.
“Remember I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN THE HORUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before Hell reigns over them. Thank God! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Iran has denied the threat, and General Ali Abdullahi Aliabadi stated that the “gates of hell” would be opened to its military if Mr. Trump followed through on his threat.
The general also called Trump’s statement a “desperate, nervous, unbalanced and foolish move.”
Hormuz, an important shipping route, has been restricted since the strikes began on February 28. The impact of the blockade, described as one of the world’s most important “economic bottlenecks”, is felt all over the world.
