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President Donald Trump on Monday called the U.S. military’s rescue of a second F-15E airman from Iran “very historic,” as he detailed the high-risk mission carried out after the fighter jet was shot down Friday.
Appearing alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Trump also escalated his rhetoric toward Iran, warning the U.S. could strike the “entire country,” adding such action “might be tomorrow night.”
The comments came as tensions intensified over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Trump had given Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the waterway or face severe military consequences, a threat that has rattled global markets and raised fears of broader economic fallout.
The operation also faced added risk after details of the downed airman were leaked, alerting Iranian forces to the possibility that a second crew member was still on the ground, according to Trump.
Ratcliffe said the CIA played a critical role in locating the airman, describing the effort as “hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desert.” He confirmed the agency used specialized capabilities and subterfuge, though he declined to provide details.
“This was a no-fail mission,” Ratcliffe said. “We were determined not to let him down.”
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