The United States (US) rescued an airman caught behind enemy lines after Iran shot down his F-15 fighter jet, the US government \u200bsaid early on Sunday, resolving a crisis for US President Donald Trump with the war on Iran in its sixth week.The rescue is a bright spot for the US 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.<\/p>\n
Trump and Israel stepped up pressure on Saturday for Iran to open the strait, which usually carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas, or face attacks on energy facilities.<\/p>\n
The injured airman was the second of \u200bthe two crew members from the warplane Iran said on Friday it had brought down with its air defenses, triggering a high-profile search by both Tehran and the \u200bUS.<\/p>\n
“Over the past several hours, the US Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History,” \u2060Trump said in a statement posted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X.<\/p>\n
Although injured, the colonel “will be just fine,” Trump said.<\/p>\n
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request \u200bfor comment.<\/p>\n
Several aircraft were destroyed during the US rescue mission, Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday, according to the Tasnim news agency. An Iranian military Spokesperson said a C-130 military \u200btransport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters were among the downed craft.<\/p>\n
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 10:00 on Monday.<\/p>\n
“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 \u200breign (sic) down on them. Glory be to GOD!” he posted on Truth Social on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
As the war has escalated, Trump has repeatedly mixed hints of diplomatic progress with threats to \u200bbomb the Islamic Republic “back to the Stone Ages.”<\/p>\n
Adding to the pressure, a Senior Israeli Defense official said Israel was preparing to attack Iranian energy facilities within the next week, and was awaiting approval from the \u200cUS.<\/p>\n
But a defiant Iran warned the “entire region will become a hell for you” if the US and Israel escalated attacks, Iranian media said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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