U.S. Special Forces rescued the crew of a downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran — Axios
U.S. Special Operations Forces successfully evacuated the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iranian territory.
The officer managed to avoid capture and hid in mountainous terrain for more than thirty hours after ejecting.
According to Axios, citing three U.S. officials, the rescued officer was injured during the plane crash on Friday.
Despite his injuries, the serviceman retained the ability to move on his own, which allowed him to find shelter in the mountains in the southwestern part of the country.
The downing of the plane triggered a major crisis that the U.S. military described as a true “nightmare.”
In parallel with the American rescue mission, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) actively searched for the officer, attempting to beat the U.S. forces to the scene.
The rescue mission, carried out on Saturday, took place under extremely tense conditions directly on Iranian territory.
Both crew members were successfully evacuated thanks to the coordinated actions of an elite special operations unit operating deep behind enemy lines.
Sources report that the operation was accompanied by significant air support to suppress any potential resistance.
One official noted that “U.S. forces opened heavy fire” to ensure the group’s safe withdrawal and the successful evacuation of the pilots.
Currently, all forces and assets involved have been fully withdrawn from Iranian territory and are safe. Military leadership confirms that the operation went according to plan and that the lives of the rescued officers are no longer in danger.
As a reminder, the search for the American pilot from the downed F-15 has been ongoing in Iran for two days.
Additionally, more than 30 universities in Iran have been struck since the war began in late February. Among those damaged is Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, which came under attack on Friday.
The Iranian military reported a drone strike on a ship linked to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz. The MSC Ishyka caught fire after the attack.
In Israel, residents of southern Lebanon were warned of possible airstrikes. Residents of Tyre are advised to leave their homes immediately and move north of the Zahra River.
The Israeli military reports airstrikes on Beirut. Command centers of Quds and PIH headquarters were hit. At the same time, a Hezbollah observation post was attacked.
Following an airstrike near the Iraq-Iran border, the Shalamcheh border crossing was closed. At least one person was killed, and several others were wounded. Traffic through the crossing has been temporarily halted.
In Dubai, debris fell on a building, but there were no casualties. Meanwhile, sirens are sounding and warnings are being issued across the Gulf states.
Iran has stated that it will allow ships carrying “essential goods” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. However, it remains unclear exactly what constitutes such goods and whether restrictions on certain countries will remain in place.
