President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that US forces had successfully recovered a second airman downed in Iran, describing the operation as “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.”
Trump said the airman had been behind enemy lines in Iran’s mountainous terrain and sustained injuries, but would recover. He also revealed that the rescue followed a successful extraction of another pilot the previous day, which had been kept under wraps to protect the second mission.
The announcement came amid intensified Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, and a day after Trump issued an ultimatum giving Tehran 48 hours to strike a deal or face “all Hell.”
Iranian media reported five fatalities linked to the US rescue operations. The downed aircraft has been reported as either shot down or struck by Iranian forces.
The conflict, triggered on February 28 by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has since spread across the Middle East, disrupting the global economy. Iran has largely blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil and gas, while continuing attacks on Israel and its Gulf allies.
Saturday’s US-Israeli airstrike on a petrochemical hub in southwestern Iran killed five people, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.
Trump reiterated his March 26 ultimatum on Truth Social, warning of imminent consequences if Iran did not comply. Iran’s central military command rejected the threat, calling it a “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action” and warning that “the gates of hell will open for you.”
Pakistan has offered to mediate, with its foreign minister holding talks with his Iranian counterpart on Saturday. However, the violence showed no sign of abating.
In the Gulf, an Iranian drone caused a fire at Bahrain’s Bapco Energies storage tanks, while debris from strikes ignited a fire at an Abu Dhabi petrochemical facility. In Lebanon, Hezbollah claimed it targeted an Israeli warship off the southern coast, though Israel has not confirmed the attack.
Residents of southern Lebanese border villages prepared for Easter amid ongoing bombardments. “People are terrified…we haven’t been able to sleep. We are putting our trust in God,” said Joseph Attieh, a local notable in Debel.
In Iran, a strike near the Bushehr nuclear plant killed a guard, prompting Russia to evacuate 198 workers and condemn the attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned further strikes could trigger radioactive fallout affecting GCC capitals. The IAEA confirmed no radiation increase but expressed “deep concern” over repeated strikes.
Former IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradei warned Gulf nations on X to prevent Trump from escalating the situation into “a ball of fire,” urging diplomatic intervention to avert further conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran continues its internal crackdown following recent anti-government protests, with two men executed for allegedly acting on behalf of Israel and the US. Communications monitor NetBlocks reported Iran’s internet blackout is now the longest nationwide shutdown in history.
