US President Donald Trump was swift to declare victory after the second crew member of an F-15 downed over Iran was recovered, claiming on Sunday that the dramatic and successful rescue in Iranian territory “proves, once again, that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority”.
Observers, however, paint a more complicated picture of what this means for the US in Iran.
While the mission was a success, the events of the last few days – in which two aircraft were downed and at least one helicopter hit by gunfire – highlight that threats to US aircraft and personnel remain even after weeks of heavy US and Israeli strikes against Iran’s military infrastructure and boasts from the president that Tehran had “no anti-aircraft equipment” left.
U.S. forces are taking out attack drones used by the Iranian regime to threaten Americans and indiscriminately target civilians in neighboring countries. pic.twitter.com/T9C2cKFK0V
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 5, 2026
