Washington, April 7 (AHN) President Donald Trump said some US military officials opposed a high-risk rescue mission in Iran, warning it could cost hundreds of lives, but he approved it anyway to bring back two downed airmen.​

“Not everybody was on board,” Trump said. He added that “there were military people… that preferred not doing it.”​

The mission took place deep inside Iranian territory after an F-15 fighter jet went down. Two crew members ejected and were stranded behind enemy lines.​

Trump said the operation involved “hundreds and hundreds” of personnel. He said the risk was severe.​

“Hundreds of people could have been killed,” he said.​

Some officials advised against it.​

“They said… You just don’t do this. You don’t go into the heart of a very powerful military,” Trump said.​

He said he understood the concerns but went ahead.​

“I understood that, but I decided to do it,” he said.​

The rescue unfolded in two phases. The first airman was recovered in a daylight mission. The second, who was injured, evaded capture for hours before being located and rescued.​

Trump highlighted the dangers of flying over hostile territory.​

“We flew seven hours over Iran… that’s a long time over unbelievably hostile territory,” he said.​

He said US forces had weakened Iranian defences but not eliminated them.​

“They still have… a shoulder… missile,” he said.​

Military planners warned of heavy losses.​

“They said… we’re going to be sacrificing hundreds of people,” Trump said.​

In the end, both airmen were rescued. No American lives were lost.​

Trump said the outcome exceeded expectations.​

“If you had told me… nobody was even essentially injured, I would have said that would be impossible,” he said.​

Officials said the mission required coordination across air, ground, and intelligence units. It lasted more than two days.​

The operation comes amid high tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington has stepped up military pressure while keeping the door open for negotiations.​

The US military has long adhered to the “leave no one behind” principle. But such missions are rare. They are often avoided due to high risks.​

Operations inside Iran are especially complex. The terrain is rugged. The military presence is dense. That raises the stakes for any future action.