By Blessing Nweke

President Donald Trump said a U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran by a shoulder-fired missile, triggering a high-risk rescue mission that underscored the evolving dangers of the conflict.

According to Trump and U.S. officials, the two airmen aboard the aircraft were recovered after a nearly 48-hour ordeal. One was rescued quickly, while the second — a weapons systems officer — evaded capture in mountainous terrain, treating his wounds and transmitting his location.

Trump described the mission as a complex operation involving more than 20 U.S. aircraft flying at low altitude into Iranian territory. The effort was supported by the Central Intelligence Agency, which used deception tactics to mislead Iranian forces searching for the downed airman. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the operation was akin to “finding a grain of sand in a desert.”

The incident comes amid a broader U.S. campaign that U.S. Central Command says has struck over 13,000 targets and severely weakened Iran’s military assets. However, Trump acknowledged that unconventional threats remain, particularly in strategic areas like the Strait of Hormuz.

“We can knock them for a loop, but to close the strait, all you need is one terrorist,” Trump said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the coordination behind the rescue, noting a nearly continuous 46-hour command effort.

Despite U.S. claims of dominance, Iran has continued to down aircraft, including drones and an A-10, signaling that its missile and air defense capabilities persist. Analysts warn that any move to deploy U.S. ground troops could expose forces to prolonged and heightened risks.