WATCH: President Donald Trump Holds News Conference After U.S. Airmen Rescued in Iran

By  //  April 6, 2026

President Donald Trump spoke at the White House and celebrated the successful rescue of airmen who were shot down by Iranian forces

The recovery was made possible by U.S. Special Operations forces, supported by dozens of aircraft, as well as the CIA launching a deception campaign to mislead Iranian officials.

President Donald Trump and his top military leaders spoke at the White House and celebrated the successful rescue of airmen who were shot down by Iranian forces, which the president called “one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat searches … ever attempted by the military.”

One crew member was recovered swiftly, and the second crew member survived with injuries and evaded capture for over 36 hours.

The recovery was made possible by U.S. Special Operations forces, supported by dozens of aircraft, as well as the CIA launching a deception campaign to mislead Iranian officials.

President Trump also touched on a proposed ceasefire deal to eventually end the war, threatening “complete demolition” of civilian infrastructure if Iran did not accept the deal.

WE GOT HIM! 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!

WE GOT HIM! 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!

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, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.

At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation.

This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory.

WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.

This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World.

GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!