Trump says Iranian military were ‘really close’ to capturing trapped US airman before American forces saved him in broad daylight rescue he said showed ‘amazing bravery and talent’

By TARYN KAUR PEDLER, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Updated: 14:44 BST, 5 April 2026

Donald Trump claimed Iranian forces were ‘really close’ to capturing a trapped US airman before American forces staged a rescue operation in broad daylight.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, the US President confirmed: ‘We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran.

‘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 has also ramped up pressure on Iran, warning that Hell will reign down on them if a deal is not reached regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, referring to an ultimatum issued on March 26.

‘Time is running out — 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them.’

Iran’s central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump’s threat was a ‘helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action’.

Echoing Trump’s language, he warned that ‘the gates of hell will open for you’.

WATCH: Second US airman extracted in ‘miraculous’ rescue mission

Iran releases images of downed US aircraft

A US service member who has been missing since Iran shot down a fighter jet has been rescued, President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post early Sunday.

A frantic US search-and-rescue operation unfolded after the crash of the F-15E Strike Eaglejet on Friday, as Iran also promised a reward for anyone who turned in the ‘enemy pilot.’

A second crew member was rescued earlier.

Trump wrote that the aviator is injured but ‘will be just fine,’ adding that he took refuge ‘in the treacherous mountains of Iran.’

Trump added that the rescue involved “dozens of aircraft” and that the US had been monitoring his location ’24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.’

Four killed and 39 injured in Israeli strike on Beirut

Four people have been killed and a further 39 injured in an Israeli strike on the Jnah area of southern Beirut, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

Israeli’s military earlier today said it would be targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital.

Images show plumes of thick smoke rising from buildings in the Jnah neighbourhood near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the largest public medical facility in the country.

Trump drops the ‘F-bomb’ in Truth Social rant

In a bizarre Truth Social post uploaded on Sunday, Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran’s power plants and bridges this Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to marine traffic.

‘Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

‘There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****** Strait, you crazy b*******, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!

‘Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP,’ he wrote.

Iran threatens more forceful attacks if its civilian installations are targeted

Iran’s joint command threatened on Sunday to step up its attacks on oil and other civilian infrastructure facilities if the U.S. and Israel attack Iranian civilian facilities.

Iran’s state-run news agency quoted the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters as saying that it had attacked several oil and other infrastructure facilities in Israel and in the Gulf Arab countries after an Israeli airstrike struck Iran’s largest petrochemical complex.

President Donald Trump has threatened to unleash ‘all Hell’ on Iran if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened.

Trump says Iranian military were ‘really close’ to capturing US airman before US forces saved him

In a post to Truth Social on Sunday, Donald Trump wrote: ‘We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran.

‘The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel.

‘This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to “man and equipment.” 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! I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1:00 P.M.

‘God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS! President DONALD J.’

Lebanese army says soldier killed in Israeli attack in southern Lebanon

The Lebanese army said on Sunday that a soldier had been killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon.

Israel struck a building in south Beirut on Sunday after issuing an evacuation warning, Lebanese state media reported.

UAE reports attacks with dozens of missiles and drones

The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said on Sunday that among the 60 projectiles fired at the country were nine ballistic missiles, 50 drones, and one cruise missile.

This brings the total number of projectiles that have targeted the UAE during the war to 507 ballistic missiles, 24 cruise missiles, and 2,191 drones.

Drone attacks ignite fires, cause serious damage at oil and petrochemical facilities in Kuwait

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said on Sunday fires ignited at several of the company’s operational facilities as well as on the premises of the Petrochemical Industries Company, causing ‘significant’ damage.

It said firefighters were working to control the fires.

No casualties were reported.