Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump after American special forces rescued an F–15 airman left stranded in Iran behind enemy lines.
The airman, alongside a pilot, had been in an F–15 fighter jet which was shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday.
The pilot had been safely ejected and saved by two military helicopters that same day but the second crew member remained missing for nearly 48 hours.
He was hiding in a mountain crevice with nothing but a handgun to protect himself as the complicated rescue operation was carried out.
‘I spoke earlier with President [Trump] and personally congratulated him on his bold decision and a perfectly executed American mission to rescue the downed pilot from enemy territory,’ Netanyahu posted Sunday evening on X.
The Israeli leader added that Trump had ‘expressed his appreciation for Israel’s help.’
‘I am deeply proud that our cooperation on and off the battlefield is unprecedented, and that Israel could contribute to saving a brave American warrior,’ Netanyahu wrote.
Trump wrote Sunday on Truth Social that the rescued service member, who was a ‘highly respected Colonel,’ had been ‘seriously wounded’ but was now safe.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he had spoken with US President Donald Trump to congratulate him on the rescue of an F-15 airman left stranded in Iran
President Trump ‘expressed his appreciation for Israel’s help,’ according to Netanyahu’s post on X
In an interview with Axios, Trump revealed the airman had given a message of, ‘Power be to God.’
Trump told the outlet: ‘What he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say.’
He added that US officials believed the airman may have been captured by Iran and that the Iranians had been ‘sending false signals’ to create a trap.
A US defense official who spoke with Axios confirmed Trump’s account and said the exact phrase used by the airman was ‘God is good.’
Other military personnel who know the airman added that he was a religious person and that it would have made sense for him to say that, Trump said.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the F–15 pilot and airman had been recovered safely on Sunday afternoon.
‘On April 4, U.S. forces successfully completed the rescues of two American service members from Iran after their F–15E fighter jet was shot down April 2 during a combat mission,’ CENTCOM said.
‘The service members were safely recovered during separate search and rescue missions. U.S. strikes into Iran continue as U.S. Central Command forces dismantle the Iranian regime’s ability to project power beyond its borders.’
The ejected seat from the US aircraft (pictured). The airman hid in a mountain for roughly 48 hours with nothing but a handgun before being rescued
An F-15 airman was rescued after a fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces. The wreckage of a helicopter that was destroyed during the rescue operation is pictured above
Trump had touted the operation as ‘one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.’
The president issued a threat against Iran on Sunday, as attacks on the country carry on.
‘Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,’ Trump posted on Truth Social.
‘There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,’ he wrote.
Trump’s post came just days after US–Israeli airstrikes destroyed Iran’s tallest bridge, killing eight people.
The B1 bridge, which links Tehran to the western city of Karaj, was targeted in two strikes on Thursday.
Trump previously said he would bomb the Iranian capital ‘back to the Stone Age,’ which was echoed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on X.
The second attack on the 136–meter structure took place while rescue forces were at the scene helping at least 95 injured people, Iranian state media claimed.
Trump has warned the Iranian regime that this upcoming Tuesday ‘will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one’ unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened
Netanyahu wrote that he was ‘deeply proud that our cooperation on an off the battlefield is unprecedented, and that Israel could contribute to saving a brave American warrior’
Trump has claimed that the Iranian people want the US to unleash its military power on the country.
He has warned Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and reach a deal to reopen the trade route by Tuesday evening or face further consequences.
‘If they don’t come through, if they want to keep it closed, they’re going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country,’ Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday.
‘If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plant and they won’t have any bridges standing,’ he added.
When asked if he was concerned about Iran’s 93 million citizens suffering if the installations were struck, Trump responded: ‘No, they want us to do it.’
‘The only reason they’re not on the street is they’ve killed 45,000 people,’ Trump said of the Iranian regime. ‘When they go in the street, they get shot.’
