WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump will brief the media Monday afternoon after the U.S. military rescued the second F-15E airman from a fighter jet that went down in Iran on Friday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the news conference will take place in the White House Briefing Room at 1 p.m., “due to popular demand from the press.”
Trump confirmed the rescue mission in a Truth Social post Sunday morning, calling the operation something “seldom attempted.”
“It just doesn’t happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all,” Trump wrote.
U.S. officials said the airman was safely recovered and that the rescue crew was not endangered during the operation.
Trump said the airman “sustained injuries” but will be “just fine,” adding that he is a “highly respected Colonel.”
A senior Trump administration official said the second crew member’s rescue involved CIA subterfuge, NBC News reported.
The agency carried out a deception campaign inside Iran, suggesting the airman had already been found and was being moved out of the country, the official told the outlet.
“While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the Agency used its unique, exquisite capabilities to search for — and find — the American,” the official said. “This was the ultimate ‘needle in a haystack,’ but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for CIA’s capabilities.”
After the CIA identified the airman’s location, Trump ordered the rescue mission.
The crash and recovery come as tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran enter their sixth week.
Following the rescue, Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Iran, threatening to target its electric grid and bridges starting Tuesday morning.
In an expletive-laden post, Trump warned Iran to “Open the F**n’ Strait, you crazy b****s, or you’ll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH. Praise be to Allah.”
Trump had earlier warned Iran it had 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe military consequences.
“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 rain down on them. Glory be to GOD!” he wrote.
The strait carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making it a critical chokepoint whose closure has rattled markets and raised fears of broader economic fallout.
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