US forces have recovered a missing weapons systems officer from deep within Iran’s Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province following an intense firefight. President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue on Truth Social on Sunday, describing the airman as a “highly respected Colonel” who was “seriously wounded, and really brave.”
The airman, whose identity remains classified, went missing after his F-15 fighter jet was downed last Friday. While the pilot was extracted shortly after the crash, the weapons officer remained behind enemy lines until the weekend operation. Iran has not officially confirmed the firefight reported by US officials.
Escalating threats and infrastructure targets
The rescue occurs as President Trump issues a new ultimatum to Tehran. He has threatened to unleash “Hell” on Iran by demolishing critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened by early Wednesday. Trump has referred to his potential military plans as “Bridge Day.”
France24 reported that Israeli strikes have killed the intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. This follows a series of joint US-Israeli operations that began on February 28, targeting various locations across the country. According to Al Jazeera, recent airstrikes have already hit universities, hospitals, and schools. A strike in the city of Karaj last week destroyed the unfinished B1 bridge, reportedly killing eight civilians who were picnicking nearby.
Analysts note that the US has been exploring ways to weaken Tehran by exploiting internal fractures. In a recent Fox News interview, President Trump acknowledged that the US has provided weapons to Kurdish groups. Reports indicate that Mossad previously attempted to coordinate with Kurdish factions in northwestern Iran, though these efforts were hindered by distrust and intelligence leaks.
Iran has struggled to manage grievances among various minority populations, including Sunni Arabs, Balochis, and Kurds. These groups have historically participated in anti-government mobilizations, such as the 2018 attack on a military parade in Ahvaz and the 2019 bus attack by Jaish Al Adl rebels. While Washington has toyed with the idea of supporting these local insurgencies to stretch Iranian military capabilities, past efforts have yielded limited success.
As the Wednesday deadline approaches, international observers remain focused on the potential for further strikes against civilian infrastructure. The Iranian government continues to defy US warnings despite the ongoing military pressure and the reported loss of key security leadership.
