CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the agency executed a sophisticated deception operation to rescue a U.S. airman shot down over Iran, deliberately spreading false information to confuse enemy forces during a 24-hour search-and-rescue mission that left Iranian military officials embarrassed and humiliated. Deception Campaign Bought Critical Time The CIA deliberately circulated rumors within Iran that American forces had already located and were actively rescuing the downed pilot, according to senior administration officials. This misinformation campaign created confusion among Iranian military units hunting the airman, buying precious time for intelligence operatives to pinpoint his exact location. The strategy worked. While Iranian forces searched based on false leads, CIA analysts tracked the pilot’s movements and relayed his precise coordinates to the White House and War Department for extraction. Race Against the Clock for Wounded Pilot The F-15E Strike Eagle went down April 3 during Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing military campaign against Iran launched February 28. American officials initially knew only where the ejection seat landed and that the pilot had been wounded, adding urgency to the mission. The airman evaded Iranian pursuers for more than 24 hours, eventually climbing a 7,000-foot ridgeline and taking cover in a crevice. Air Force pilots carry beacons and secure communication devices, but are trained to use them sparingly to avoid enemy tracking. The CIA employed specialized technology unique to the agency to locate him, though officials declined to specify the exact methods used. Mission Success Humiliates Iranian Forces Ratcliffe called the operation a “race against the clock” during a Monday press conference alongside President Donald Trump. The successful extraction occurred Saturday night, with American forces pulling the pilot to safety. Intelligence assessments revealed Iranian officials felt deeply embarrassed by the audacious rescue operation conducted inside their territory. Ratcliffe credited Trump with tasking him to move past political correctness and focus entirely on mission success. The CIA director acknowledged he could not reveal all operational details but emphasized the complexity and risk involved in executing the rescue under enemy pursuit while wounded American personnel remained in hostile territory during active combat operations. Sources Dailycaller: CIA Waged ‘Deception Campaign’ To Help Save US Airman Downed In Iran, Director Says