Trump confirms both military officers missing in Iran have been rescued
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle piloted by a member of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off from Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, in support of regional security operations, April 30, 2021.
Staff Sgt. Zade Vadnais | U.S. Air Force photo
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that two military officers missing in Iran have been rescued.
MS Now had reported on Friday, citing two U.S. officials, that one crew member of a downed F-15 fighter jet had been rescued and that a second was missing.
“WE GOT HIM!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Trump said his administration did not initially confirm the rescue of the first crew member to not jeopardize the second operation.
“Over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History,” Trump said.
Tehran and Washington confirmed Saturday that Iran downed the two-seat F-15E jet. The incident marks the first time Iranian forces have successfully shot down a U.S. combat aircraft since the war began on Feb. 28.
“This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,” Trump said. “At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.”
Separately, two U.S. officials said Saturday the pilot of a U.S. A-10 Warthog jet ejected from the aircraft that crashed in Kuwait after being hit by Iranian fire. The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post were first to report that the A-10 had been shot down.
Countdown to Trump’s deadline
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been ramping up the pressure on Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian peninsula for a large proportion of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
Trump said Saturday in a Truth Social post: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign [sic] down on them.”
On March 26, Trump said he would extend a pause in attacking Iran‘s energy facilities by 10 days to April 6 at the request of the government of the Islamic Republic.
In a televised address from the White House on Wednesday, Trump told Americans that he expects the Iran war to last another two to three weeks, but said the conflict was close to an end.
“We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” he said.
The spot price for current physical cargoes of Brent crude oil soared Thursday to $141.36, the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, according to S&P Global, which tracks the data.
The spot price reflects the demand for Brent oil that will be delivered in the next 10 to 30 days. The high price for more immediate oil deliveries points to the tightness of physical supply right now due to the huge disruption trigged by the Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The price was $32.33 higher than the Brent crude futures contract for June delivery, which closed at $109.03 on Thursday.
