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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jonathan J. Cooper,Konstantin Toropin and Farnoush Amiri

Risky rescue of US crew downed in Iran relied on dozens of aircraft and subterfuge, Trump says

Trump US Iran - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The United States relied on dozens of aircraft, hundreds of personnel, secret CIA technology and a dose of subterfuge to rescue a two-man F-15E fighter jet crew downed deep inside Iran, a risky mission that President Donald Trump and his top defense aides detailed Monday.

U.S. forces rescued the pilot within hours of the jet going down late Thursday, surging helicopters, midair refuelers and fighter aircraft deep into Iran after confirming his location, Trump said in a valedictory news conference at the White House, describing the military operation in an unusual level of detail.

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