Iran has claimed that the United States faced a setback during a rescue operation in southern Isfahan. According to Iranian media, spokesperson of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, said that Iranian forces carried out operations against US aircraft involved in the mission. He claimed that one aircraft linked to the operation was shot down, describing it as a failure of the US military.

 

The statement comes after US President Donald Trump announced that the missing crew member of a downed F-15 aircraft had been successfully rescued. Mr Trump termed the mission as one of the most daring search and rescue operations and said the injured crew member is expected to recover.

 

However, Iranian officials rejected the US claims and termed the operation a defeat for American forces, saying such statements were aimed at influencing public perception.