Missing US pilot rescued in Iran after F-15E shot down

On 5 April 2026, US forces rescued an airman from inside Iran after an F-15E fighter jet was shot down. The airman had been missing for two days. Iranian TV had broadcast a reward for his capture, and Iran said it had deployed 'tribesmen, popular forces' to search. A second crew member of the downed jet was also rescued 'safely out of Iran'.

Trump said the rescue was a 'miraculous' operation. Reports describe US special forces, dozens of aircraft and a CIA 'deception campaign' used to rescue the airman from the mountains of Iran. Iran's military said it destroyed US aircraft involved in the search.