US special forces extracted a wounded American airman from Iranian territory after a complex rescue operation that President Donald Trump described as one of the most daring in military history.
The weapons systems officer from a downed F-15E Strike Eagle had evaded capture for more than 24 hours in Iran's mountainous terrain before Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos reached him. The airman, equipped with a pistol, beacon, and secure communications device, sustained injuries during ejection but remained mobile throughout the ordeal.
This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour
Donald Trump, US President — Truth Social
The rescue involved dozens of aircraft and required US forces to destroy two transport planes that became stuck at a remote Iranian base to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. American commandos fired on Iranian positions to keep Revolutionary Guard forces away from the extraction site, while attack aircraft provided air support.
Iran's military disputed the success of the operation, claiming it had been "completely foiled" and that multiple US aircraft were destroyed during the mission. Revolutionary Guard spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the operation took place at an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.
France 24 frames the story as a military escalation with focus on operational details and Iranian counterclaims. The outlet emphasizes the broader regional conflict context and presents both sides' narratives without editorial judgment, reflecting France's position as a NATO ally seeking diplomatic solutions while maintaining analytical distance from US military operations.