U.S. special operations forces successfully rescued the F-15E weapons systems officer (WSO) from deep inside Iran Early Sunday, following a high-risk, multilayered mission involving dozens of aircraft and elite units such as Air Force Pararescuemen, Delta Force, and Navy SEAL Team Six.

The WSO, identified as a highly respected colonel, ejected after the jet was shot down over southwestern Iran on April 3 during a nighttime mission which many critics online speculate was a failed operation to establish a foward operating base(FOB) for a potential ground invation.

Using SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training, he moved to elevated terrain, activated an emergency beacon, and evaded Iranian forces—including the IRGC and Basij—for over 24 hours while being hunted in rugged mountainous terrain. A CIA deception campaign reportedly helped confuse Iranian pursuers.

The rescue operation faced fierce resistance, with U.S. forces engaging in ground combat, two rescue helicopters hit by enemy fire (crew injured but recovered), and U.S. bombs used to suppress Iranian convoys. Two C-130 transport planes intended for extraction failed to launch from a remote site and were destroyed by U.S. forces allegedly to prevent capture. Navy SEAL Team 6 (DEVGRU), Air Force Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), and Army Night Stalkers (MH-6 Little Bird helicopters) were among the assets deployed during the mission.

Iranian state media claimed four U.S. aircraft were destroyed but did not confirm capture of the airman. President Donald Trump announced the rescue on Truth Social, stating: “WE GOT HIM!” and “not a single American was killed or wounded,” calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.”

Trump escalated threats Sunday, against Iran in a series of profanity-laden Truth Social posts, warning: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.” He set shifting deadlines—initially April 6, then April 7, and later “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time”—demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face massive strikes on power plants and bridges, which critics labeled potential war crimes.

In a phone interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst on Sunday, Trump revealed the U.S. had sent “a lot of guns” to Iranian protesters “through the Kurds,” but added: “I think the Kurds kept them.” This arms effort coincided with earlier mass riots in Iran, during which thousands were killed or arrested.

"If they don't make a deal and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil," Trump told Yingst. The president added that he believes he'll be able to get a deal with Iran by tomorrow, a claim he has unsuccessfully made several times in the past. Iranian leaders have rejected the terms of a ceasefire proposed by U.S. officials through mediators from Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt.

President Donald Trump has reiterated his ultimatum to Iran, threatening that "all Hell will reign down" in 48 hours, on the country if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz or reach a peace deal, a message he repeated across multiple posts on his Truth Social, Saturday.

The president shared a video he claimed showed a "massive strike" in Tehran that "terminated" many of Iran’s military leaders, though the timing and authenticity of the footage have not been independently verified, and Tehran has not yet responded to the claims.

Trump’s threats and military actions come amid indirect negotiations mediated by Pakistan, but with his 10-day deadline set to expire on April 6, 2026, the risk of further escalation remains high. Iran has responded defiantly, with military officials warning that "the entire region will become hell" for the U.S. and Israel if attacks continue.

A U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over southern Iran, resulting in one pilot being rescued and a high-stakes search-and-rescue operation by U.S. forces for the weapons systems officer. Iran is offering a $60,000 reward for the capture of the missing American airman, intensifying the urgency of the mission. The downing of the F-15—along with reports that two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were hit during rescue efforts—challenges earlier U.S. claims of air superiority over Iran.

The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, escalating after Iran restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.

Israel has conducted multiple strikes on Iranian targets, including petrochemical facilities in Khuzestan and sites near the Bushehr nuclear plant, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating these were tied to Iran’s military infrastructure.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks, including strikes toward Israel launched by Houthi forces in Yemen and attacks on Kuwaiti oil facilities.

Iran shot down a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and struck an A-10C Thunderbolt II and multiple Black Hawk helicopters during intense combat operations on Friday, one day after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes destroyed the B1 Bridge in the Azimiyeh district of Karaj, Iran, killing 13 civilians.

 One crew member, the pilot, was rescued by U.S. special forces; the weapons system officer remains missing and is believed to have ejected over southwestern Iran, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, where Iranian forces have launched a manhunt.

A-10C and Black Hawk aircraft were hit during rescue efforts. The A-10C Warthog, involved in the search-and-rescue mission, was struck by Iranian fire near the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the pilot to eject over the Persian Gulf.

The pilot was safely recovered and is receiving medical care. Two U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters participating in the rescue were also hit by Iranian ground fire—one while carrying the rescued F-15E pilot. Crew members sustained minor injuries, but both helicopters escaped to safety in Iraq or Kuwait. Iranian state media released footage of wreckage, including an ejection seat, and offered a bounty for the capture of any surviving American pilot, urging civilians to assist.

The downing of the F-15E, a two-seat dual-role fighter, marked the first time Iran successfully shot down a manned U.S. aircraft since the war began on February 28, 2026.

The latest escalation follows regional strikes and threats. The April 2 attacks on the Karaj bridge followed President Donald Trump’s warning to “bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages” if the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Gulf allies—damaging a desalination plant in Kuwait and igniting fires at gas facilities in Abu Dhabi.

Despite U.S. claims of air superiority and degraded Iranian defenses, Iran has demonstrated resilience, reactivating missile sites within hours of being bombed. The incident has intensified diplomatic and military stakes, with Israel halting planned strikes to avoid interfering with the rescue mission.

Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly rejected a U.S. 48-hour ceasefire proposal and refused to meet American officials in Islamabad. Tehran labeled the U.S. demands as "excessive, unrealistic and irrational" and formally informed mediators it would not participate in planned talks hosted by Pakistan, effectively stalling regional diplomatic efforts.

The U.S. had submitted a 15-point ceasefire proposal via intermediaries, reportedly including measures such as sanctions relief, limits on Iran’s missile program, civilian nuclear cooperation, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan had offered to host the talks, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stating the country would be “honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks,” but Iran dismissed the initiative, asserting that “Pakistan’s forums are their own; we didn’t participate.”

Iran received the proposal through intermediaries but denied any direct negotiations with the U.S. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated Tehran had only received “excessive and unreasonable demands” and emphasized that “one must remember who started it.”

Despite President Donald Trump claiming “we’re doing extremely well in that negotiation,” Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have consistently denied any ongoing talks.

As of Friday, ceasefire prospects appear bleak, with prediction markets indicating less than 1% chance of agreement by an April 7 deadline, amid continued military strikes and regional escalation.