US rescues second pilot in Iran after downed F-15, Trump confirms

The US rescues second pilot in Iran after a fighter jet crash, as President Donald Trump confirmed the development on Sunday. The rescue took place in Iran’s Isfahan province during ongoing conflict between the two countries. The operation followed days of intense search efforts after the aircraft was brought down.

According to officials, the pilot was part of a two-member crew aboard an F-15 fighter jet that Iran claimed to have shot down earlier. The second crew member had remained behind in hostile territory while the first pilot was rescued earlier.

President Trump described the mission as “miraculous” in a statement shared on his social media platform. He said the rescued officer, a colonel, had been injured but is expected to recover.

The rescue mission was carried out under difficult conditions. The pilot was reportedly hiding in mountainous terrain while avoiding capture for nearly two days. US forces then launched a high-risk operation to extract him safely.

The successful recovery of the second pilot comes as a relief for the White House. The incident had raised concerns as the conflict with Iran entered its sixth week.

However, Iran has not officially confirmed the rescue. Reports from Al Jazeera indicate continued air activity near the crash site over the past 24 hours.

In a separate claim, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it shot down another US aircraft during the rescue mission. The report, carried by Iranian media, stated that a C-130 type plane was targeted in Isfahan province.

US officials have not confirmed this claim. Independent verification of the incident remains unclear.

Meanwhile, the rescue mission reportedly involved multiple US aircraft and faced resistance from Iranian forces. Reports suggest that a firefight occurred during the operation, making the extraction more challenging.

In another development, a separate US aircraft, an A-10 Warthog, reportedly crashed in Kuwait after being hit. The pilot ejected safely, but details about injuries are still unknown.

Despite the risks, President Trump praised the operation. He said both rescue missions were completed without any American casualties, highlighting US military capability.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange claims, with limited independent confirmation available.