CNN: Hegseth and Pentagon officials pressured F-15 crew over CBS interview
In the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and political officials in his office, according to CNN, pressured two crew members of an F-15 fighter jet shot down over Iran in April to take part in CBS's 60 Minutes program about the operation to rescue them. This was reported by the Jerusalem Post, citing CNN.
Military concerns
According to CNN, both service members initially did not want to give interviews. One of them feared that he could be required to appear on air. At the same time, military officials expressed concern that the conversation could reveal classified details of the operation, as hostilities with Iran were still ongoing.
CNN sources claim that political officials in Hegseth's office initially insisted on the participation of both crew members. After the military voiced reservations, Hegseth personally met with them and asked whether they wanted to take part in the program. Ultimately, the serviceman referred to in the report as “Bravo” agreed to the interview, while “Alpha” declined.
Details of the rescue operation
According to CNN, the F-15 pilot was found several hours after the aircraft was shot down by Iranian forces. The second crew member, a weapons systems officer, evaded Iranian military personnel for more than a day. He reached a ridge about 7,000 feet high, carrying mainly a pistol, communications equipment and a radio beacon.
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He was later evacuated by a U.S. commando unit, while U.S. aircraft struck targets in the area of the operation to ensure the serviceman's evacuation. It was the weapons systems officer, who had remained on the ground longer, who agreed to appear on camera.
The Pentagon's position
According to CNN, the military was also concerned about the possible use of the rescue story for political purposes by the Donald Trump administration and the Pentagon. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine took part in discussions about the risks of disclosing tactics, but ultimately decided to participate in the program.
The Pentagon completely rejected CNN's account. The department's chief spokesperson, Sean Parnell, said that the decision to participate belonged solely to each of the two service members and that appropriate measures had been taken to protect operational security, sources and methods.
