Tehran, MINA – Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has exposed what it calls the “Hollywood-style” narrative of the United States regarding the rescue operation of its downed and missing pilot in central Iran.
In an article published on Sunday, April 5, 2026, Tasnim highlighted numerous inconsistencies in the US account of the operation to rescue the crew of the American fighter jet.
According to Tasnim News Agency, the U.S. claim of a successful operation feels “Hollywood-style” because the story is considered overly complicated and dramatic: beginning with infiltration into Iranian territory, tracking the pilot, facing technical difficulties, and then having to carry out follow-up operations.
Tasnim also questioned the condition of the pilot, who was said to be seriously injured, noting the absence of clear visual evidence or documentation. The agency expressed significant doubt about the fate of the crew member who was reportedly rescued, and suggested the possibility that the official U.S. narrative could later shift to “a rescue attempt was made, but the pilot died.”
On the other hand, Reuters and AP reported that U.S. officials did claim the operation was successful, but acknowledged serious obstacles, including mechanical damage to two MC-130 aircraft. This nearly trapped the special forces inside Iranian territory and forced the US military to destroy some of its own assets to prevent sensitive technology from falling into enemy hands.
Reuters also reported that Iran claimed to have destroyed two C-130 transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters during the operation, although these claims could not be independently verified. []
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