Good evening. Tonight: U.S. forces carried out a complex overnight operation deep inside Iran to rescue an American aviator after an F-15 was shot down, and President Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Tehran in a profanity‑laced social media post and set a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran continued strikes across the region, and the fallout is reverberating from Washington to the Vatican and NASA. Here are the top developments.
Daring rescue operation inside Iran
U.S. officials and White House sources described the mission to extract an F‑15 crew member as complicated and dangerous, involving dozens of commandos, multiple aircraft and helicopters. Attack helicopters and jets kept Iranian forces away while special operators moved to retrieve the downed crewman, who the White House later said was seriously wounded. The pilot was rescued earlier and suffered injuries.
Video circulated online purporting to show wreckage of two U.S. C‑130 transport planes at a remote Iranian base. U.S. sources told CBS News the transport aircraft were destroyed by U.S. forces to prevent them from falling into enemy hands — standard military practice.
U.S. officials said the CIA played a role beyond intelligence gathering, including a deception effort to spread false information inside Iran that U.S. forces had already secured the crewman and were moving him by ground, aimed at diverting Iranian search efforts. A White House briefing was scheduled with military officials to share more details.
Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and Trump’s warning
President Trump posted a profanity‑laced message targeting Iranian leaders and demanding the Strait of Hormuz be reopened by Tuesday. The president said U.S. forces had rescued the aviator and set a deadline for Iran to allow commercial traffic to move freely through the vital waterway.
The post drew sharp criticism in Washington. Members of both parties condemned the language and questioned the strategy; some criticized the president’s approach and raised concerns about lack of a broader plan. Former CENTCOM commander Gen. Frank McKenzie said the Iranians would be “well‑served to listen” to the president’s threats, but lawmakers and critics warned that bluster could escalate the conflict.
Iran’s response and regional strikes
Iran declared it would reopen the Strait only after receiving compensation for war damages. Meanwhile, Iran continued military actions across the region: missile strikes hit multiple targets in the Gulf, and missiles struck an oil refinery in Iraq. Israeli officials reported damage from incoming projectiles, including strikes in and around Haifa.
Vatican and pope’s plea for peace
In Rome, Pope Leo delivered a powerful Easter message calling for peace and urging leaders, including the U.S. president, to find an off‑ramp from war. Thousands had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, where the pope denounced war and appealed for those with weapons to lay them down. The pontiff’s repeated denunciations of war all week culminated in a scathing rebuke against the escalation of hostilities.
Artemis II’s view of the far side of the moon
NASA’s Artemis II crew — on a test flight and now farther from Earth than any human has been in nearly 50 years — has been photographing the far side of the moon. The crew described seeing a lunar surface unlike what is visible from Earth and shared an Easter message of perspective and unity. The Orion capsule is slated to loop around the far side of the moon, temporarily losing communications for about 40 minutes during the historic flyby.
Travel, weather and consumer impacts
Severe storms affected millions across the Midwest and East Coast, producing flooding in parts of Michigan and disrupting holiday travel. Meteorologists warned of a late‑season cold snap bringing frost and freeze advisories to parts of the Ohio Valley and East Coast.
Airlines are increasing fares and fees amid surging jet fuel costs tied to the Middle East conflict. Jet fuel prices nearly doubled since strikes intensified, prompting airlines worldwide to add surcharges; U.S. carriers have begun raising ticket and baggage fees. Travel experts urged travelers to book now for summer trips because higher prices may persist in the near term.
Other headlines
– College basketball: UCLA won the women’s national title, beating South Carolina 79–51 — the Bruins’ first championship since 1978. The men’s title game will feature UConn vs. Michigan.
– A hiker in Arizona was airlifted after being stung more than 100 times by a swarm of bees and was hospitalized in serious condition.
– New York’s Easter parade drew crowds despite rain as thousands wore colorful bonnets on Fifth Avenue.
– In California, both eggs in a famous bald eagle nest hatched; wildlife officials also rescued an abandoned baby mountain lion, now in care at the Oakland Zoo.
– In France, gospel choirs continue to draw large Parisian audiences; the music’s emotional power transcends language and has deep roots in African American spirituals.
That’s the CBS Weekend News for this Easter Sunday. Have a good week.