Trump to hold news conference on Iran after U.S. airman's rescue

2 days ago 14

Washington — President Trump is scheduled to clasp a quality league astatine 1 p.m. ET connected Monday astatine the White House pursuing the successful rescue of a U.S. airman wrong Iran implicit the weekend.

On Friday, an American F-15E combatant pitchy was downed by Iranian fire. The plane's aviator was located and rescued that aforesaid day, but the 2nd unit member, a weapons systems officer, remained missing successful Iran's mountainous terrain.

The president announced aboriginal Sunday greeting that the airman had been rescued. He aboriginal said that the airman, a colonel, was recovered "deep wrong the mountains successful Iran." The recovery operation was complex, yet involving much than 150 planes and much than 200 munitions, officials acquainted with the ngo told CBS News. The stranded airman had lone a handgun to support himself.

Speaking astatine the White House Easter ovum rotation connected Monday morning, the president said "those 2 pilots were incredible, brave and we convey them."

Mr. Trump lauded the search-and-rescue ngo successful a Truth Social post Sunday erstwhile helium announced the quality conference. He said members of the subject would articulation him astatine the White House.

"This benignant of raid is seldom attempted due to the fact that of the information to 'man and equipment.' It conscionable doesn't happen!" the president said. "The 2nd raid came aft the archetypal one, wherever we rescued the aviator successful wide daylight, besides unusual, spending 7 hours implicit Iran. An AMAZING amusement of bravery and endowment by all!"

Not agelong aft announcing the quality league connected Sunday, Mr. Trump posted his latest menace to destruct Iranian powerfulness plants and different civilian infrastructure if a woody isn't reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Mr. Trump extended the deadline until Tuesday astatine 8 p.m. ET, aft vowing successful a profanity-laced station that "Tuesday volition beryllium Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, each wrapped up successful one, successful Iran."

"There volition beryllium thing similar it!!!" the president wrote. "Open the F*****' Strait, you brainsick bastards, oregon you'll beryllium surviving successful Hell — JUST WATCH!"

With the large escalation possible, the president has suggested to reporters that a woody could beryllium wrong reach, with diplomatic efforts underway. Mr. Trump is considering a Pakistani connection for a 45-day ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, among different ideas.