Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Sunday that he spoke directly with President Donald Trump to commend a high-risk American military operation that successfully retrieved a wounded U.S. service member from Iranian territory. The pilot's F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jet had been shot down by Iranian forces, escalating tensions in a conflict that began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in late February.
In a post on the social media platform X, Netanyahu stated he "personally congratulated him on his bold decision and a perfectly executed American mission to rescue the downed pilot from enemy territory." He added that Trump expressed appreciation for Israel's assistance during the operation. "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 Hails 'Daring' Rescue Operation
President Trump announced the rescue early Sunday on his Truth Social platform, describing it as "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History." He confirmed the rescued officer, identified as a colonel, was "SAFE and SOUND" but later noted the individual was "seriously wounded." Trump detailed a tense scenario where the service member was "behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies." He credited continuous monitoring and planning by military leadership for the mission's success.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) officially confirmed the rescue of the second crew member from the downed aircraft on Saturday. The first crew member was recovered in a prior operation before the weekend. The incident has contributed to a growing American casualty count; the Pentagon reported Friday that 365 U.S. service members have been wounded since hostilities commenced. Seven have been killed directly by Iranian attacks, with six more dying in a March 12 refueling aircraft crash in Iraq.
Rescue Mission Faces Iranian Fire
The extraction was not without peril. During the rescue attempt on Friday, Iranian forces struck a U.S. Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a second search-and-rescue aircraft, according to a source familiar with operational details who spoke anonymously. Both helicopters managed to evade destruction and complete their mission.
Iranian state media presented a conflicting account. The Fars News Agency, which has ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed on Sunday that two C-130 aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed during the U.S.-led operation. Iranian outlets released images of what they said were destroyed aircraft, which were subsequently circulated by major international news organizations including CNN, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal. The Hill has requested comment from Centcom regarding these claims.
The successful rescue occurs against a backdrop of heightened brinkmanship between Washington and Tehran. The operation follows a series of ultimatums issued by President Trump to Iran, demanding concessions. Tehran has consistently rebuffed U.S. pressure, recently dismissing the latest American ceasefire proposal as 'unrealistic' despite the looming threat of further escalation.
Netanyahu's public praise for Trump underscores the depth of the current U.S.-Israel strategic partnership during this volatile period. The Israeli leader's statement explicitly frames the rescue as a product of this tight alliance. This coordination extends beyond battlefield operations, as the Trump administration continues to pursue a broad policy agenda, including recent moves like consolidating offshore drilling oversight, even as it confronts legal challenges such as the likely judicial defeat of its birthright citizenship order.
The downing of a U.S. fighter jet and the complex rescue of its crew mark a significant and dangerous flashpoint in the ongoing confrontation, demonstrating both the operational risks for American forces and the intensifying military coordination between the United States and Israel.
