JERUSALEM, Israel – The U.S. and Israel are keeping up their strikes against Iran, with Israeli forces confirming the death of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ chief of intelligence, their number two official. Israel also took out another key official. It comes after a rescue that President Trump called an “Easter miracle.”
The president posted, “We got him!” after U.S. Special Forces rescued an American colonel shot down over enemy territory inside Iran. The daring operation came as the president’s deadline for a deal with the Islamic regime is running out.
In a high-risk rescue involving dozens of special forces, multiple aircraft, and a C.I.A. deception campaign, along with help from Israel, it became a race against the clock: who would reach the downed airman first, the U.S. or Iran?
On Thursday, Iran shot down the F-15E containing a pilot and his weapons service officer, known as a W.S.O. Within hours, the pilot was rescued.
The W.S.O. separated from the pilot, evaded capture, and sent out an emergency signal.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, launched a massive search operation and put a bounty on his head.
A video shows U.S. air support hitting Iranian forces as they closed in.
A nighttime operation located and recovered the W.S.O.
Two aircraft became disabled and had to be blown up to prevent sensitive equipment from being captured.
President Trump announced the rescue, posting on Truth Social, “My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted, “God is good.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, posting on X, “All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America’s dauntless warriors. This proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror.”
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Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on the president’s ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
On Truth Social, Trump set a Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time deadline for Tehran to accept his terms.
The regime has refused a temporary ceasefire in exchange for opening up the Strait, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Without a deal, the U.S. is threatening to destroy Iran’s electric grid and send it back to the Stone Age.
An Iranian missile hit an apartment building in the northern Israeli city of Haifa on Sunday. The blast injured four people, including a baby, and rescuers say two others were found dead in the rubble.
In another development, Trump told Fox News that he sent guns to Iranian protesters through the Kurds, but he believes the Kurds took the guns.
The president plans to hold a press conference later on Monday as his mediators make plans for another deadline extension.
