Trump Reveals Fears of Iranian Ambush During High Stakes Rescue of Downed US Airman

US President Trump details the harrowing rescue of a downed F-15 airman in Iran, involving CIA deception, SEAL Team 6, and Israeli intelligence support.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:07 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

A Shield of Deception in the Iranian Highlands

The recovery of a second US service member from deep within Iranian territory followed a sophisticated psychological operation spearheaded by the CIA. According to a senior administration official, the agency disseminated false information suggesting the airman had already been moved to safety, effectively disorienting Iranian military responses. This strategic maneuver allowed American search and rescue teams to operate while Iranian forces were diverted by conflicting reports. President Donald Trump described the environment as a desperate race against time, noting that the airman was being hunted in treacherous mountains by thousands of individuals motivated by promised bounties.

Radio Transmissions and the Specter of a Trap

Uncertainty clouded the early stages of the rescue after the crewman, having ejected from his aircraft, issued a brief and unexpected radio message. President Trump recounted that the airman stated, "God is good," a phrase that initially sparked fears within the White House that the service member had been captured and was being used to lure rescuers into a lethal ambush. These concerns were only alleviated once the military confirmed the airman’s identity and verified his personal religious background. The President noted that the F-15 was brought down by a shoulder fired missile, characterizing the Iranian military's success as a stroke of luck rather than superior tactical positioning.

The Role of Israeli Intelligence and Air Supremacy

While the President emphasized that the bulk of the operation was an American endeavor, he acknowledged that Israel acted as a vital partner in the extraction. According to reports from Channel 12 and unnamed officials, Israel provided critical intelligence regarding the geographic area of the crash. Furthermore, the Israeli Air Force reportedly conducted at least one targeted strike to prevent Iranian ground units from closing in on the rescue site. This coordination ensured a window of air supremacy, allowing US commandos, including members of Navy SEAL Team 6, to penetrate the airspace and reach the wounded officer who had been hiding in a mountain crevice.