US pilot rescued from Iran after high-risk operation, Trump declares ‘we got him’

In a dramatic turn amid the ongoing conflict, the United States has successfully rescued a missing Air Force pilot whose F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran, capping one of the most complex search-and-rescue missions in recent military history.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the development on April 5, declaring “we got him” and stating that the rescued crew member is now “safe and sound” after what he described as a “daring” operation deep inside hostile territory.

According to a senior official cited by Al Jazeera, the pilot — a weapons systems officer — had been missing since his aircraft was brought down by Iranian air defenses on April 3, marking the first such incident since the conflict began five weeks ago. While one crew member was quickly recovered, the second had remained stranded, evading capture in rugged terrain as both US and Iranian forces raced to locate him.

The situation was further complicated after authorities in Tehran reportedly announced a $60,000 reward for his capture, intensifying the urgency of the rescue mission.

High-risk rescue under fire

US officials said the airman managed to evade Iranian forces for nearly two days before being located overnight. Intelligence suggested that Iranian authorities were closing in on his position, prompting Washington to accelerate recovery efforts.

Trump said the Pentagon had been monitoring the officer “24 hours a day” and deployed dozens of aircraft equipped with advanced weaponry to carry out the mission.

Describing the operation, Trump said the pilot had been “behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour.”

However, the extraction did not proceed without resistance. A fierce firefight erupted during the recovery attempt, exposing both the pilot and rescue teams to active hostilities. Despite sustaining injuries, the pilot is expected to recover, Trump said.

The US President also claimed the mission underscored American “air dominance and superiority” over Iranian skies, asserting that no US personnel were killed or wounded during the operation. Tehran has not yet issued an official response to the rescue.

War rhetoric intensifies

Even as the rescue operation concluded, tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to rise sharply.

Trump renewed pressure on Iran to reopen the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, warning of severe consequences if it fails to comply. “Time is running out — 48 hours before all hell will rain down,” he said.

Iran responded with a stark warning of its own. General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi cautioned that any attack on Iranian infrastructure would trigger severe retaliation, including targeting US-linked assets in the region.

Beyond the loss of two advanced aircraft, the conflict has already exacted a heavy toll on American forces, with at least 13 service members killed and around 300 injured since the campaign began.