Snakebit from the jump: U.S. air crew rescue turns to disaster in Iran

Iranian nomads with US GI underwear after the costly Pentagon raid to rescue one fighter jet crew member

• The US evacuated the 2nd crew member from Iran and blew up its own planes doing so. The American weapons crew officer hid amongst the mountains and escaped from Iran. After moving away from where he landed with his parachute, the weapons officer activated the tracking devices he had with him, which helped locate him. At the end of the operation, while preparing to leave Iran, the two C-130 rescue aircraft became stuck on the ground and were unable to take off. So the US sent 3 other aircrafts & blew up its own two C-130 so that they wouldn’t fall into Iran’s hands reports CBS news. However, according to Iran’s Khatam Al Anbiya, one C-130 and 2 Black Hawk helicopters were hit by Iran which caused them to catch fire and not able to fly. Field sources also report the killing of several American soldiers by Iran’s armed forces. More details from Scott Ritter & Larry Johnson here

• Watching Khoshcheshm (an Iranian analyst) talk on IRIB: Pilot rescue was likely not the main objective of the US for the special op, otherwise they wouldn’t have needed dozens of forces. The possibility exists they wanted to carry out a small scale landing operation as a test for future heliborne operations, specially since it’s close to nuclear facilities (for HEU). But their operation failed. 

• A Pentagon A-10 ground-attack support aircraft also crashed in Kuwait while participating in providing air cover for the rescue operation of the American pilot.
• Trump is preparing to unveil his fiscal year 2027 budget, emphasizing a substantial military buildup to shape his party’s midterm election message, Bloomberg reports. The proposal includes boosting Pentagon spending, potentially up to $1.5 trillion, while reducing funding for domestic programs to help cover the increase. 
• The largest bridge in the Middle East, in Iran, after its destruction by the enemies of civilizations. 

• US/Israel attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant again. For the fourth time, a projectile struck near the plant’s perimeter fence. The blast and shrapnel damaged an auxiliary building, and one security staff member was martyred. A top Russian official confirms a deadly strike breached the Bushehr nuclear plant's protection circuit. Previous strikes occurred on March 17, March 24, and March 27. 198 Russian employees of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran have been evacuated.
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has warned that medical needs in Iran are rapidly rising while essential supplies risk running out due to the ongoing war. More than 21,000 people have been injured and over 1,900 killed since the fighting began, placing major strain on the healthcare. US has been bombing Iranian pharmaceutical plants and hospitals. 
• In Israel, people go to restaurants, wait for air raid sirens and run to shelters without paying - report Israeli media. Restaurant owners said they are suffering massive losses due to such a scheme. 
• The restoration of the Al Taweelah aluminum plant in the UAE, after Iran's retaliatory strikes, could take up to 12 months - WSJ. The United Arab Emirates ranks fifth in the world in aluminum production.
• Hebrew platforms report, quoting an Israeli source, that we have at least another week of intense fighting ahead. They also stated that the Americans are planning to attack national infrastructure in Iran. 
• Retired Admiral William McRaven, a four-star officer in the U.S. Navy and a former Navy SEAL, commenting on Donald Trump: "Through your actions, you embarrassed us in front of our children, humiliated us on the international stage, and worst of all, you divided us as a nation."
• The Islander writes: This was never America’s war. It was Netanyahu’s war and the Apprentice was ordered to fight it with American lives, American treasure, and what remained of American credibility in the Gulf. The stated goals were Iran’s nuclear program, regime change, total military defeat, liberation of the Iranian people. Every single one has failed, replaced with “at least we didn’t leave men behind.” Tell that to the families of the dead.

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