Trump says leak tipped off Iran to missing airman, demands media outlet reveal source or face jail
President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that a leak to the press about a second U.S. airman stranded inside Iran after a shootdown nearly cost the serviceman his life, and vowed his administration would force the media outlet that published the information to hand over its source or face criminal consequences.The threat came during an April 6 White House press conference where Trump laid out the details of what officials described as one of the most complex rescue missions in U.S. special operations history.
An F-15E Strike Eagle had been shot down over Iran on Friday. The pilot was recovered within hours. But the weapon systems officer, separated by several miles after ejecting, remained alone in hostile territory until Saturday night, nearly 48 hours behind enemy lines.
Trump said the administration deliberately withheld word that a second airman was still missing. Then someone talked.
Trump said the disclosure prompted Iran to issue what he described as a major notice offering "a very big award for anybody that captures the pilot." That turned the search into something far more dangerous. Not only were U.S. rescue teams operating against a hostile military, Trump said, but "millions of people trying to get an award."
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