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Posted By Admin On April 7th, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his ongoing dispute with the media, warning that news organisations could be compelled to reveal their sources over reports on a sensitive military rescue operation in Iran, or face possible imprisonment for non-compliance.

Speaking at a White House press briefing on Monday, Trump expressed anger over leaks relating to the high-risk mission to rescue two crew members of a downed F-15 aircraft.

He argued that the unauthorised disclosure of operational details had endangered American personnel and complicated efforts to evacuate an injured service member.

“We are going to approach the media organisation that published it and say, ‘national security, disclose your sources or face jail,’” the president said, signalling a tougher stance in identifying those responsible for the leak.

He described the individual behind the disclosure as reckless, claiming the consequences of the information release had not been fully considered.

According to Trump, the leak hindered efforts to locate and extract a missing weapons systems officer, who reportedly evaded Iranian forces for nearly 48 hours despite sustaining serious injuries.

Reports indicate that several major U.S. media outlets delayed publishing details of the operation over the weekend to avoid jeopardising the mission.

The president’s remarks go beyond his usual criticism of the press, which he has frequently labelled as purveyors of “fake news,” and are expected to trigger renewed debate over press freedom and the limits of national security protections.

Critics argue that such threats could intimidate journalists and undermine media independence, while the administration maintains that its position is aimed at safeguarding national security interests.

The rescue mission itself was described as highly complex, involving about 155 aircraft, coordinated deception strategies to mislead Iranian forces, and significant operational risks.

Although no rescue personnel were injured, some aircraft were reportedly destroyed on the ground to prevent sensitive military technology from being captured.

Source: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/07/trump-threatens-media-with-jail-over-leak-of-iran-rescue-operation/