Iran hits energy sites in Kuwait as US says downed pilot rescued (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

American forces have recovered a crew member from a downed F-15 as clashes with Iranian forces were reported during the operation

Welcome to RT’s live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran, a conflict spanning the Middle East in which both sides are exchanging missile and drone strikes across multiple countries.

Iran hit several energy sites in Kuwait, including the headquarters of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, which was reportedly struck by a drone. The barrage came after US President Donald Trump warned that “all hell will rain down” on Iran unless the Strait of Hormuz is unblocked within 48 hours.

Iran has closed the vital waterway to “enemy ships” following the first wave of US and Israeli attacks on February 28, driving up oil and gas prices worldwide. Trump has vowed to target Iranian power plants if shipping is not fully restored.

Meanwhile, the United States said it had successfully rescued a crew member of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle during what Trump described as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history.” 

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The officer, whom Trump identified as a colonel, had been stranded in mountainous terrain inside Iran and was recovered by a large force of aircraft after sustaining injuries. He said the serviceman is now “safe and sound.”

Trump added that a second US pilot had been rescued in a separate operation a day earlier, which had not been disclosed at the time for operational security reasons, and said both missions were carried out without American casualties. The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed details of the operations.

Earlier reports had indicated intense fighting between US commandos and Iran’s Basij paramilitary force in the southwestern province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, where the aircraft was shot down on Friday, and that Iranian authorities had offered a reward for the pilot’s capture.

In a separate incident on Friday, a US A-10 Thunderbolt II was hit by Iranian fire, with the pilot ejecting after leaving Iranian airspace and later being rescued, according to US media reports.

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Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned the latest US-Israeli strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant – the fourth since hostilities began – accusing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of “inaction” and warning of potential legal action. The projectile hit near the facility’s perimeter, killing a security guard and damaging an auxiliary building.

The IAEA earlier confirmed it had been informed of the incident and reported no rise in radiation levels. Director General Rafael Grossi expressed “deep concern,” warning nuclear sites “must never be attacked,” but did not directly condemn the US or Israel.

Here are the latest developments:

• Iran’s central military command rejected Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum. General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi called it “a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.”

• Tehran reportedly added “two main power plants” in Israel to its list of targets.

• Iranian forces struck a US military radar in the UAE and targeted “command headquarters of mechanized, armored, and helicopter battalions” in Kuwait using Arash-2 drones.

• Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that recent US-Israeli strikes on the Bushehr NPP are pushing the situation toward a “dangerous line.”

• At least 17 people were arrested during an anti-war rally in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square.

Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates. You can also read our previous updates here.