Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, congratulating him on what he described as a “perfectly executed American mission” to rescue a US pilot stranded in Iranian territory after an F-15 fighter jet was shot down near Isfahan.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said Trump had expressed his appreciation for Israel’s assistance during the operation.

“I spoke earlier with President Donald Trump and personally congratulated him on his bold decision and a perfectly executed American mission to rescue the downed pilot from enemy territory. The President expressed his appreciation for Israel’s help,” he wrote.

“I am deeply proud that our cooperation, both on and off the battlefield, is unprecedented, and that Israel could contribute to saving a brave American service member,” he added.

CNN, citing Israeli sources, reported earlier that Israel had provided intelligence support and delayed some planned strikes on Iran to avoid disrupting the search-and-rescue effort.

Earlier, President Trump confirmed that the second crew member from the downed F-15 had been rescued. The individual had been missing after the aircraft was brought down by Iran.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the mission as one of the “most daring” search-and-rescue operations in US military history, adding that the United States would “not leave a warfighter behind”. He also noted that the rescued crew member had sustained injuries.

“We got him,” Trump wrote, stating that the officer — a colonel — had been located in mountainous terrain behind enemy lines in Iran and was safely recovered after being closely tracked by US military leadership throughout the operation.