Iran War Enters 37th Day: Airman Rescued, Trump Reiterates Threat to Civilian Infrastructure
State of the Union: Several aircraft were damaged or destroyed in the search-and-rescue mission, per reports. The post Iran War Enters 37th Day: Airman Rescued, Trump Reiterates Threat to Civilian Infrastructure appeared first on The American Conservative .
The Iran War has now entered its 37th day as tensions continue to escalate between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump has reiterated his 48-hour ultimatum, warning that if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened, Iran will face severe consequences, including attacks on its power plants and bridges. Trump’s threats come as Iranian officials remain unfazed, stating that their focus is on achieving their goals and that Trump’s problems are not their concern.
In a recent Truth Social post, Trump warned Iran, “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.” He added, “Open the F*ckin’ Strait, you crazy b*stards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.” Iranian advisor Mahdi Mohammadi, who spoke on behalf of Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, emphasized that Iran’s list of regional retaliations is not yet complete but is being carried out according to a plan. “We have a goal that must be achieved, and the war will not end until that time,” Mohammadi said. He also dismissed Trump’s threats, stating that the U.S. president knows that military action cannot open the strait, and an agreement with Iran is the only way forward.
Despite the ongoing conflict, U.S. special forces have successfully rescued the second crew member of an F-15E fighter jet that was shot down over Iran. The F-15E was downed on Friday, prompting two separate combat search-and-rescue operations. The first operation recovered the pilot the same day, while the second mission extracted the aircraft’s weapons systems officer last night. Additionally, a U.S. A-10 fighter jet was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, and its pilot was also rescued.
According to Air & Space Forces, citing a source familiar with the operation, U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones were active in the rescue of the F-15E crew member. The drones targeted all Iranian military-aged males believed to be a threat who got within three kilometers of the downed airman. The Wall Street Journal reported that two Lockheed Martin MC-130J planes became stuck in the mud during the search-and-rescue operation, highlighting the challenges faced by U.S. military forces in the region.
As the conflict continues, both sides remain steadfast in their positions. Trump’s threats to Iran’s civilian infrastructure underscore the severity of the situation, while Iranian officials remain focused on their objectives. The rescue of the downed airmen provides a brief moment of relief for the U.S., but the broader conflict remains unresolved, with tensions likely to persist for the foreseeable future.
