JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested on Sunday that Israel was involved in efforts to rescue two U.S. airmen from Iran.
Speaking in a video statement following a situational assessment meeting, Katz described the operation as "an expression of the close cooperation" between Israel and the United States.
"I commend our American partners on the safe rescue of the U.S. aircrew," he added, without providing further details.
The two crew members from a downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran were recovered after a "heavy firefight," U.S. officials told media earlier on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue on his Truth Social platform, saying the second rescued pilot is injured but remains "safe and sound."
The aircraft went down earlier Friday in southern Iran. One crew member was recovered earlier, while both U.S. and Iranian forces had been searching for the second. ■
