A U.S. airman stranded inside Iran following a fighter jet shootdown has been rescued in what officials describe as a carefully coordinated covert mission.

The F-15 jet was downed on April 3, forcing both crew members to eject. While one was quickly recovered, the second was left behind, sparking a race against time.

The airman reportedly evaded capture by hiding in remote terrain and reducing electronic signals. Iranian authorities, meanwhile, launched search efforts and publicly indicated they wanted him captured alive.

The U.S. response involved a multi-layered strategy. Intelligence teams, including the CIA, tracked his location continuously, while special forces prepared for extraction.

To confuse Iranian forces, the U.S. reportedly spread false reports that the airman had already been rescued, alongside fake location signals.

Backed by air support, rescue teams moved in and extracted the airman, flying him to Kuwait. Donald Trump confirmed the mission’s success.

Iran disputes this version, claiming the operation failed.