Trump Threatens Journalist with Jail Over Iran Rescue Raid ‘Leak’

(SeaPRwire) –   The U.S. president did not name the media outlet or the reporter he labeled “a sick person”

President Donald Trump threatened to jail a journalist as part of the administration’s search for the source who leaked details and “complicated” the rescue mission for the crew members of the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran last week.

Speaking at a White House press conference alongside senior defense officials, Trump stated that the pilot was recovered within hours on Friday, while the weapons systems officer — severely injured and hiding in a mountain crevice — was rescued early Sunday following a complex mission involving more than 150 aircraft.

Trump noted the administration had aimed to keep the second airman’s disappearance under wraps to prevent Iranian forces from capturing him. But after multiple news outlets reported that one crew member was still missing, Trump alleged the disclosure alerted Iran’s military and put the service member’s life in danger.

“We’re going to reach out to the media company that released this information, and we’ll tell them, ‘National security is at stake — hand over the source or face jail,’” Trump told reporters. “The person who wrote this story will end up in jail unless they reveal their source.”

“This mission became far more challenging because a leaker spilled the details,” he noted. “Suddenly, the entire nation of Iran knew there was a pilot fighting for their survival on their soil.”

The rescue mission involved a massive fleet of 155 U.S. aircraft, including four bombers, 64 fighter jets, 48 aerial refueling tankers, and 13 specialized rescue aircraft. The operation also deployed hundreds of special operations forces, including Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos, who were inserted to extract the stranded airman.

Despite the mission’s success, with no American lives lost, the U.S. incurred substantial material losses. At least two transport planes became disabled at a remote Iranian air base during the extraction and were intentionally destroyed by U.S. commanders to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Additionally, two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were reportedly struck by Iranian gunfire, and an A-10 Warthog attack plane was hit but managed to limp back to Kuwaiti airspace, where its crew ejected.

“As a matter of fact, Iran issued a major announcement — you all saw it — offering a substantial reward for anyone who captures the pilot,” Trump said. “So on top of facing a hostile, highly skilled, very capable, deeply evil military, we had millions of people looking to claim that reward. When you factor that in, we absolutely have to track down that leaker, because they’re a sick individual.”

The president did not identify the media outlet or reporter he was targeting. A White House official said an investigation is underway.

Trump also used the briefing to deliver a fresh ultimatum to Iran, threatening to demolish the nation’s civilian infrastructure unless Tehran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening.