Iran Claims Airman Rescue was Cover for Uranium Raid Near Isfahan

Iranian officials have alleged that a U.S. mission to extract a downed American airman was in fact a cover for a covert raid targeting sensitive nuclear materials, escalating tensions and raising broader geopolitical concerns.

Iranian officials suggested the intended target may have been nuclear-related sites near Isfahan or Natanz Nuclear Facility.

The incident was first reported by Defense Security Asia.

According to Iranian authorities, the operation — publicly described by the United States as a rescue of a surviving F-15E Strike Eagle crew member — may have had a deeper objective.

They argue that the reported landing zone differed significantly from the airman’s presumed location, suggesting the mission was not solely focused on recovery.

President Donald Trump praised the operation, calling it a success and posting “WE GOT HIM!” after U.S. special forces extracted the crew member following roughly 36 hours inside Iranian territory.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei rejected that account, describing the mission as “a disaster” and claiming its true purpose may have involved attempting to seize enriched uranium or related materials.

Iranian officials also pointed to reported losses of helicopters, transport aircraft, and drones as evidence that the scale of the operation exceeded that of a typical rescue mission.

They suggested the intended target may have been nuclear-related sites near Isfahan or Natanz Nuclear Facility.

State-linked media in Iran have referred to the incident as “Tabas II,” invoking memories of the failed Operation Eagle Claw, which ended in disaster in the Iranian desert.