Iran has accused the United States of attempting to steal enriched uranium under the guise of a rescue mission for a downed F-15E fighter jet crew member. The operation, which took place in early April 2026, involved 170 aircraft, including four bombers and 64 fighter jets. US President Donald Trump hailed the mission as one of the most daring operations in US history, successfully rescuing a crew member who had been stranded for nearly 48 hours. However, Iranian officials dismissed the US narrative, labeling the operation a deception and claiming it was completely foiled. They also raised doubts about the reported rescue location and suggested that the mission might have been a cover for extracting enriched uranium. US officials, on the other hand, maintained that the mission was a complex, intelligence-led effort, with the Central Intelligence Agency conducting a covert deception campaign to mislead Iranian forces during the operation.