Trump · Axios
The President noted that the pilot was rescued much more quickly, in daylight, under heavy fire from the Iranians
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Trump said the IDF helped the U.S. military "a little bit" during the search and rescue of both crew members.
Key facts
- President Trump delivers a televised address from the White House on April 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP
- President Trump told Axios the U.S. initially worried that a message from the stranded crew member of an F-15 downed by Iran was a trick by the Iranians to lure U.S. forces into a trap
- The crew member survived more than 24 hours in the mountains despite being wounded, before being rescued in a special forces operation on Saturday
- The President noted that the pilot was rescued much more quickly, in daylight, under heavy fire from the Iranians
Summary
President Trump delivers a televised address from the White House on April 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP. President Trump told Axios the U.S. initially worried that a message from the stranded crew member of an F-15 downed by Iran was a trick by the Iranians to lure U.S. forces into a trap. The crew member survived more than 24 hours in the mountains despite being wounded, before being rescued in a special forces operation on Saturday. Around 200 soldiers from special operations units participated in the operation, Trump said. Trump said the Iranian military shot down the F-15 using a shoulder-fired missile.