The U.S. government claims that it had launched a large rescue mission near Isfahan, Iran, to retrieve the weapon officer of an F-15 airplane which was downed while it was bombing that country.
When I read the first version of that story I replied:
Moon of Alabama @MoonofA – 14:28 UTC · Apr 5, 2026
Bridges on sale …
Jennifer Griffin @JenGriffinFNC · Apr 5
According to a senior administration official:
Prior to locating the WSO (Weapons System Officer) and the US military’s daring rescue, the CIA first launched a deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground …
The U.S. may have found and retrieved the F-15 officer. But that will have been tens of miles from the place near Isfahan where it lost two HC-130 transport planes and four MH-6 special force helicopters. That special force operation was most likely an attempt to steal enriched Uranian known to be hidden under a mountain somewhere around Isfahan. Such an operation was pre-viewed on April 1 by the Washington Post:
Risky commando plan to seize Iran’s uranium came at Trump’s request (archived)
It seems that the attempt ran into an ambush like situation and had to evacuate.
For details see how Will Schryver and Armchair Warlord are connecting the dots. Iranian analysts agree with their take.
In other news Trump is using foul language to threaten Iran with further war crimes. Iran promises adequate retaliation. The markets react to discipline U.S. action. Another TACO is likely to happen.
Added for later reference: Trump’s “victory” claims:
Mar 3: “We won the war.”
Mar 7: “We defeated Iran.”
Mar 9: “We must attack Iran.”
Mar 9: “The war is ending almost completely, and very beautifully.”
Mar 11: “You never like to say too early you won. We won. In the first hour it was over.”
Mar 12: “We did win, but we haven’t won completely yet.”
Mar 13: “We won the war.”
Mar 14: “Please help us.”
Mar 15: “If you don’t help us, I will certainly remember it.”
Mar 16: “Actually, we don’t need any help at all.”
Mar 16: “I was just testing to see who’s listening to me.”
Mar 16: “If NATO doesn’t help, they will suffer something very bad.”
Mar 17: “We neither need nor want NATO’s help.”
Mar 17: “I don’t need Congressional approval to withdraw from NATO.”
Mar 18: “Our allies must cooperate in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.”
Mar 19: “US allies need to get a grip – step up and help open the Strait of Hormuz.”
Mar 20: “NATO are cowards.”
Mar 21: “The Strait of Hormuz must be protected by the countries that use it. We don’t use it, we don’t need to open it.”
Mar 22: “This is the last time. I will give Iran 48 hours. Open the strait”
Mar 22: “Iran is Dead”
Mar 23: “We had very good and productive talks with Iran.”
Mar 24: “We’re making progress.”
Mar 25: “They gave us a present and the present arrived today. And it was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize.”
Mar 26: “Make a deal, or we’ll just keep blowing them away.”
Mar 27: “We don’t have to be there for NATO.”
Mar 28: No major quote
Mar 29: Claimed talks were progressing
Mar 30: “Open the Strait of Hormuz immediately, or face devastating consequences.”
Mar 31: Claimed a deal was “very close” and that Iran would “do the right thing”
Apr 1: “We’ll see what happens very soon.”
Apr 2: Repeated that a deal was likely, while warning of continued strikes if not
Apr 3: “Something big is going to happen.”
Apr 4: Said Iran must comply “immediately” or face further consequences.
Apr 5: “Open the fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”