Iran hails strike on aircraft as victory after second F-15 pilot rescued
Iran on Sunday claimed a “bitter defeat” for the United States in southern Isfahan following the rescue of a second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Tehran downed the jet.According to news agency ANI, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the incident exposed “the hollow nature of the American military and the humiliating failure of its forces.”
He added, “Trump tries to justify the bitter defeat of his feeble army by creating confusion for public opinion.” As per Press TV, Zolfaghari highlighted that Iranian forces had shot down a C-130-class aircraft involved in the operation.Zolfaghari described Iran’s action as a clear example of its forces’ “courageous” and “heroic” defence against what he called US aggression.“We had previously warned that the brave fighters of the nation in the armed forces, with God’s help, would cut down any invader and utterly crush the aggressors. The decisive victory of Iranian forces in southern Isfahan is a clear example of this courageous action,” he said.
US hails “most daring” rescue mission
While Iran called it a victory, President Donald Trump hailed the mission as a triumph for the US military. In a social media post, Trump wrote that the rescued aviator was injured but “will be just fine,” and praised the operation as “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History.” He confirmed that dozens of aircraft, armed with “the most lethal weapons,” were deployed after two Black Hawk helicopters were reportedly targeted by local Iranian forces.Trump said, “This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. We will never leave an American warfighter behind!” He also claimed the operation proved US “overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.”
Clash escalates amid ongoing war
The rescue comes amid escalating US-Iran tensions. The conflict began with joint US-Israel strikes on February 28 and has since killed thousands, disrupted shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and driven up fuel prices. Both sides have hit civilian targets, raising concerns over possible war crimes.Iran’s state TV, citing the joint military command, said two Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport aircraft were shot down in Isfahan during the US operation, with images showing smoke rising from a desert area. Iranian tribesmen also opened fire on American helicopters during the mission.Meanwhile, regional diplomatic efforts are ongoing. Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty and Pakistan’s foreign ministry have both engaged with US and Iranian officials to explore de-escalation measures, warning of a potential “unprecedented explosion” in the Middle East.Aid agencies warn that the ongoing conflict is disrupting food and medicine deliveries. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said that if hostilities continue through June, an additional 45 million people could face acute hunger, adding to the 320 million already at risk globally.
