A missing American airman has been rescued from inside Iran following a high-risk operation that unfolded over two days, President Donald Trump announced early Sunday.

The soldier went missing after his F-15E jet was shot down over southern Iran, marking the first loss of a US aircraft since the start of the war and the first since the 2003 Iraq invasion.

The rescue came amid intense competition between US forces and Iranian authorities, with Tehran reportedly calling on the public to capture the airman and offering a $60,000 reward.

Iranian nomadic groups were shown in state media footage searching the mountainous southwest region and firing at US helicopters during the mission.

Trump described the operation on Truth Social as “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History,” saying dozens of aircraft carrying “lethal weapons” were deployed to retrieve the airman, who evaded Iranian forces for two days before being safely extracted.

The officer sustained injuries but is expected to recover.

The incident occurred as the US and Israel continue strikes in Iran, and Tehran has reportedly lost at least five people in related attacks in Khuzestan province.

Iranian authorities also claimed two C-130s and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed during the operation, though the US has not confirmed these reports.

Analysts say the rescue removes a major strategic risk for Washington, allowing President Trump to continue pursuing his broader goals in the war, including imposing a 48-hour deadline on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Observers called the mission a significant test for the US military, reflecting the priority placed on recovering personnel behind enemy lines.