Iran's foreign ministry has accused the United States of using a rescue operation for an F-15E pilot, shot down over Iranian territory, as a cover to steal enriched uranium. US President Donald Trump described the operation as 'daring', but Iranian officials, including spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, raised doubts about the authenticity of the operation, suggesting it was a deception to facilitate uranium theft. The incident occurred in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, far from where US forces attempted to land. Iran's military claimed the US operation was 'completely foiled', with several US aircraft reportedly forced to make emergency landings in southern Isfahan province after being hit. The US government stated that two MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft experienced mechanical failures, leading to their destruction to prevent sensitive equipment from being captured by Iranian forces. Isfahan is significant as it houses the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre, a key site in Iran's nuclear program, which the US and Israel suspect is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.