Iran has claimed that a US special operation to rescue a missing American pilot has failed. The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the mission was one of the most courageous in US history and had been completed successfully. Following Trump’s post, Iranian authorities and state media rejected the claim, describing the operation as unsuccessful.

A spokesperson for Iran’s central military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, said in a statement that US forces made desperate attempts to recover the downed pilot but failed due to the efforts of Iranian forces. The United States had earlier confirmed that there was an exchange of gunfire between American and Iranian troops during the mission.

Iran’s military further alleged that Washington’s announcement of a successful rescue was an attempt to conceal its defeat. The incident has added to the ongoing tensions between the two countries, which have previously clashed over military and political issues.