A U.S. special forces mission to rescue the crew of a downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran unfolded amid heightened suspicion that Tehran may have been trying to lure U.S. troops into a trap, President Donald Trump told Axios.
The episode, involving an injured U.S. F-15 crew member stranded in Iran’s mountainous terrain for more than a day, underscores the volatility inherent in U.S.-Iranian hostilities and the heightened caution that guides military decision-making in contested environments.
US Suspects ‘False Signals’ Amid Rescue Efforts
According to Axios U.S. officials initially feared that a radio message received from a stranded weapons system officer might have been manipulated by Iranian forces attempting to lure American troops into an ambush.
After ejecting from the plane, the officer sent a short message that raised the first doubts.
“He said, ‘Power to God.’
A US defense official later clarified that the exact wording was: “God is good.”
Trump suggested the phrase created uncertainty in military channels.
“What he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say,” he noted, adding that there were concerns that the officer might already be in Iranian custody and that the Iranians were “sending false signals.”
These concerns were eventually allayed. Individuals familiar with the officer said he was deeply religious, a claim later confirmed by defense officials.
“It wasn’t very clear at first, but we stuck with it and verified that he was alive and not captured. And those who knew him said he was religious,” a US defense official said.
Survival against the odds in Iran’s mountainous terrain
The officer reportedly endured more than 24 hours in the harsh mountainous terrain when he was injured and evaded capture amid a massive manhunt by Iranian forces.
Trump described the intensity of the pursuit bluntly: “Thousands of these savages were hunting him,” he said, referring to Iranian military personnel.
“Even the populace was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him.”
The officer eventually hid in a mountain crevasse, allowing US surveillance systems to determine his location. Trump noted that the military had access to “beep information” that helped narrow the search area.
US Special Forces operation involving 200 soldiers
Around 200 special operations personnel took part in the rescue mission, which took place on Saturday. This was followed by an earlier recovery of the pilot, which took place under significantly different conditions.
A U.S. defense official described the first mine as: “a bold and swift capture” carried out in broad daylight under heavy Iranian fire.
A second operation targeting a weapons system officer was carried out overnight after US forces set up a temporary base in Iran. Two crew members landed miles apart after ejecting from the plane.
“The two crew members were several miles apart. There were hundreds of IRGC soldiers everywhere,” the official said.
F-15 shot down by shoulder fired missile
Trump said the plane was shot down by Iranian forces using a portable missile system.
The loss of the F-15 and subsequent rescue operations highlight the risks facing U.S. air assets operating near or inside enemy airspace, especially amid escalating regional tensions.
Limited Israeli support in the wider operation
Trump also said the Israel Defense Forces provided some assistance during the operation. “A little,” said the US president.
A U.S. defense official clarified that while Israel did not provide specific information about the officer’s location, it contributed to broader situational awareness. Israeli officials confirmed that one airstrike was conducted to prevent Iranian forces from approaching the safety zone.
Trump described the relationship in familiar terms: “They were good partners. They were great and brave people. We’re like big brother and little brother,” he said.
