Tehran / Washington: Iran’s foreign ministry claimed on Monday that the US operation to rescue a downed airman may have been a cover to “steal enriched uranium”, raising tensions further in the ongoing Gulf crisis.
The incident occurred after an F-15E fighter jet went down over Iran on Friday. President Donald Trump described the subsequent search and rescue as a “daring” operation, in which a second crew member was recovered.
Iranian Response
Iran’s military dismissed the mission, calling it “a deception and escape mission” that was “completely foiled.” Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said there were “many questions and uncertainties” surrounding the operation:
“The area where the American pilot was claimed to be present in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province is a long way from the area where they attempted to land or wanted to land their forces in central Iran. The possibility that this was a deception operation to steal enriched uranium should not be ignored at all.”
Baqaei described the operation as “a disaster” for the United States. Iran’s military added that several US aircraft had to make emergency landings in southern Isfahan province after coming under fire, forcing the US to heavily bombard the downed aircraft.
US Position
While Iran accuses the US of ulterior motives, Washington maintains that the mission was a routine search-and-rescue operation to recover its personnel. No additional claims regarding nuclear material have been acknowledged by US officials.
Context
The incident is the latest escalation in tensions between the US and Iran following US-Israeli strikes that disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and prompted global concerns over oil supplies, military confrontations, and nuclear security.
Analysts warn that such accusations could further complicate diplomatic efforts, heighten regional instability, and increase the risk of direct military confrontation in the Middle East.
