Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) claims to have shot downed several "enemy flying objects" during a massive US serach and rescue operations on Sunday. According to Tasnim news agency, the IRGC Aeroscpace and Ground Forces, alongside police and Basij units, engaged US assets as they attemped to recover a stranded airman.

Conflicting Reports On Aircraft Losses

Iranian military officials and the unified command of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headdquarter have reported significant US losses during extraction: 

C-130 Transport Plane: Iran's police command claims a C-130 military transport aircraft was brought down south of Isfahan.

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Black Hawk Helicopters: Officials further allege that two US Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed during the mission.

Israeli Drone: Earlier on Sunday, the Iranian army also claimed to have downed an Israeli drone in the same province.

While Iran highlights these strikes as a victory for its coordinated defense forces, US sources provided a different context for the loss of equipment. An official told Reuters that at least one US aircraft had to be intentionally destroyed by US forces after it suffered a mechanical malfunction during the extraction of the airman from a mountainous region to a transport plane.

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Trump Hails "Most Daring" Rescue In US History

Despite the reports of lost hardware, US President Donald Trump officially confirmed the successful recovery of secong crew member from the F-15E strike Eagle downed on Friday. Trump described the mission as one of the most daring search and rescue efforts in US military history.

The rescued airman, identified by the President as a Colonel, was the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) of the two-person jet. His pilot had been recovered shortly after the crash on Friday, sparking an intense 48-hour race between US and Iranian forces to locate the remaining officer.

"He was rescued in the treacherous mountains of Iran," Trump stated, noting that this marks a rare instance in military memory where two pilots were rescued separately from deep within enemy territory.

High Stakes And Geopolitical Leverage

The successful recovery removes a significant piece of leverage from Tehran. Iranian authorities had previously urged civilians and nomadic tribes to help capture the "enemy pilot," hoping a high-profile hostage could shift American public opinion against the war, which began on February 28.

The rescue comes at a critical moment:

Polls: Domestic support for the conflict in the US remains low, and a hostage crisis could have further damaged the administration's position.

Ultimatum: President Trump has already threatened to escalate the war with strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure if his demands are not met.