Second U.S. Crew Member Rescued Following F-15E Crash in Iran

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — U.S. forces have successfully recovered the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle that crashed in southwest Iran, concluding a high-stakes, two-day search and rescue operation.

President Donald Trump confirmed the recovery on social media, describing the mission as "one of the most daring" in U.S. history. While the airman sustained injuries, the President noted he is expected to recover, adding that no American lives were lost during the extraction.

• The Incident: The F-15E was downed on Friday, marking the first U.S. combat jet lost to enemy fire in over 20 years. While Iran claims its forces shot down the aircraft, the U.S. military has not officially confirmed the cause.

• Wider Conflict: The rescue occurred amidst a five-week war. Recent U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian petrochemical complexes and air defense systems. An Israeli wave of strikes also hit Tehran early Sunday morning.

• Nuclear Safety: A strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant killed a guard on Saturday. However, the IAEA reported no increase in radiation levels.

• Diplomatic Strains: Despite the escalation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that Tehran remains open to peace talks in Pakistan, provided the terms lead to a "lasting end" to the conflict.

• Deadline Issued: President Trump reiterated a 48-hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, threatening "unspecified escalation" if terms are not met.

The humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to rise, with the Red Cross estimating at least 1,900 deaths in Iran and over 1,200 in Lebanon following recent Israeli operations against Hezbollah. Meanwhile, missile fire from Iran into Israel persists, with reports of light casualties in Tel Aviv.