Trump says US rescued downed crew member in Iran

WASHINGTON: The United States rescued an airman caught behind enemy lines after Iran shot down his F-15 fighter ​jet, the US government said early on Sunday, resolving a crisis for President Donald Trump with the war on Iran in its sixth week.

The rescue is ‌a bright spot for the United States in a war that has killed thousands, sparked an energy crisis and threatens lasting damage to the world economy after Iran virtually shut the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “WE GOT HIM! … the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History… [he] is now SAFE and SOUND!”

He said the officer, a colonel, had been “behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran” and was being pursued by enemy forces before being recovered.

“At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft… to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,” Trump added in the post.

Trump and Israel on Saturday stepped up pressure on Iran to open the strait, which usually carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas, or face attacks on energy facilities.

Trump gives Iran Monday deadline for peace deal

The injured airman was the last remaining to be retrieved from the two crew members from the warplane Iran said on Friday it had brought ​down with its air defences, triggering a high-profile search by both Tehran and the United States.

"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 in a statement posted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on ​X.

Although injured, the colonel "will be just fine," Trump said. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump, who has threatened to hit Iranian power plants if his demands were ​not met, indicated his deadline for Tehran to reach a deal to end the war was around 10 am ET (1400 GMT) on Monday.

"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 down on them. Glory be to GOD!" he posted on Truth Social on Saturday morning.

As the war has escalated, ​Trump has repeatedly mixed hints of diplomatic progress with threats to bomb the Islamic Republic "back to the Stone Ages."

Adding to the pressure, a senior Israeli defence official said Israel ​was preparing to attack Iranian energy facilities within the next week, and was awaiting approval from the United States.

But a defiant Iran warned the "entire region will become a hell for you" if the United ‌States and ⁠Israel escalated attacks, Iranian media said.

Chances for peace talks, which Pakistan is seeking to broker between Washington and Tehran, appear to remain slim, and polls show low US public support for the war.

Iran wants 'lasting end to illegal war'

Still, Iran's foreign minister left the door open for the talks.

"What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X, adding that Iran had never refused to go to Islamabad, which he thanked for its efforts.

After a ​fourth attack near the Bushehr power plant ​on Saturday, Araqchi warned the United Nations ⁠of an "intolerable situation that poses a serious risk of radiological release," state media said.

Iran warns US, Israel that 'entire region will become hell for you' if escalation continues

Iran warned the United States and Israel that continued military escalation in the region would have devastating consequences, according to Iranian state media. The warning came after US President Trump issued a stark 48‑hour ultimatum to Iran.