Rescuing Trapped Pilots in Iran: Trump Says Over 170 Military Aircraft Deployed
Trump revealed that over 170 military aircraft were deployed to rescue trapped pilots in Iran. He also threatened to jail media personnel who leaked the mission intelligence.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 04:08
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 05:00 (52 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 19:53 (278h 53m after Collected)
According to AFP, Trump stated that the US military deployed 21 military aircraft in the operation to rescue the first pilot, and as many as 155 aircraft in the mission to rescue the other pilot. He also said that during the mission, two transport planes got stuck in the sand and were ultimately forced to be blown up on site.
According to CNN, Trump also revealed that hundreds of US troops were deployed in this wave of rescue missions.
In addition, during a press conference, Trump warned a certain media outlet, demanding an explanation of who leaked the news that US military pilots were missing in Iran; otherwise, the related personnel of that media outlet would face prison time.
Trump said: "We will go to the media company that put this out and tell them: 'This is about national security. Hand over the source, or go to jail.'" Trump did not specify which media outlet it was.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe told reporters today that regarding the rescue of pilots whose fighter jets were shot down inside Iran, US foreign intelligence agencies had launched a 'deception operation' to mislead Iranian authorities who were desperately searching for US personnel.
Ratcliffe: "The CIA executed a deception operation to confuse the Iranians who were desperately searching for our pilots at the time." He also mentioned that one of the pilots was hiding deep in the mountains at the time and was successfully rescued in the end. (Compiled by: Liu Shu-qin) 1150407
According to CNN, Trump also revealed that hundreds of US troops were deployed in this wave of rescue missions.
In addition, during a press conference, Trump warned a certain media outlet, demanding an explanation of who leaked the news that US military pilots were missing in Iran; otherwise, the related personnel of that media outlet would face prison time.
Trump said: "We will go to the media company that put this out and tell them: 'This is about national security. Hand over the source, or go to jail.'" Trump did not specify which media outlet it was.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe told reporters today that regarding the rescue of pilots whose fighter jets were shot down inside Iran, US foreign intelligence agencies had launched a 'deception operation' to mislead Iranian authorities who were desperately searching for US personnel.
Ratcliffe: "The CIA executed a deception operation to confuse the Iranians who were desperately searching for our pilots at the time." He also mentioned that one of the pilots was hiding deep in the mountains at the time and was successfully rescued in the end. (Compiled by: Liu Shu-qin) 1150407