U.S. President Highlights “Historic” Military Operation While Warning of Escalation as Iran Rejects Ceasefire Proposal and Seeks Permanent End to Conflict
Amid reports that Iran has rejected a ceasefire proposal, President Donald Trump held a press conference at the White House today, outlining the details of a series of embattled rescue missions carried out over the weekend.
“We're here today to celebrate the success of one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat searches — what you would call a search and rescue mission — ever attempted by the military,” Trump told reporters.
The operation followed an April 3 incident in which Iranian air defenses struck a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle over southern Iran. According to Trump, the pilot was rescued immediately, while the aircraft’s Weapons Systems Officer was located 48 hours later.
“Both members of the crew were ejected from the aircraft and landed alive on Iranian soil,” he said, describing the mission as “historic.”
“We were helped by a lot of people, a lot of great people, and it was an honor to be involved with it,” Trump added. “This is a rescue that's very historic. It'll go down in the books.”
While praising the bravery of the service members involved, Trump also revealed that the mission had been placed at significant risk due to a leak. During the rescue effort, Iranian ground forces reportedly opened fire on U.S. rescue aircraft.
“[Iranian officials] didn't know there was somebody missing until this leaker gave the information,” Trump said. “We think we'll be able to find out who it was, because we're going to go to the media company that released it and say, ‘National security, give it up or go to jail.’”
The developments come in the wake of a pre-emptive strike on February 28 ordered by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, carried out by Israeli Defense Forces under the name Operation Epic Fury. The operation has since resulted in the destruction of more than 60 Iranian ships, multiple strikes on military infrastructure, the leveling of drone factories, and the neutralization of missile launchers and ballistic missile production facilities.
"Nobody has the equipment that we have, and nobody has the military that we have," Trump said. "Not even close."
Trump also reiterated his warning to Iran, threatening further strikes on power plants and infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by midnight Monday.
“We're doing unbelievably well, at a level that nobody's ever seen before,” he said. “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night.”
However, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iranian officials are seeking a permanent end to the conflict rather than a temporary ceasefire. Pakistan is currently acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran.
“We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” said Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Cairo, on Monday.
Trump’s most recent message on the matter was posted on Truth Social on April 5, in which he reiterated his deadline and issued a stark warning.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” he wrote. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Strait, or you’ll be living in Hell — just watch!”
