U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and expressed appreciation for Israel’s role in assisting American forces during a high-risk rescue mission that retrieved two downed U.S. airmen inside Iran.

Following the meeting, Huckabee publicly thanked Israel for what he described as critical support provided by both military and intelligence agencies during the operation.

“Just met w/ @IsraeliPM to thank @Israel on behalf of American ppl for unprecedented assistance to US Military & Intel agencies who conducted a historic rescue mission of our air crew in Iran,” Huckabee wrote on X. “US SF carried out brilliant op. @IDF & Mossad were helpful partners in the mission.”

The remarks highlight the close coordination between the United States and Israel during the complex mission, which involved extracting American personnel from hostile territory after their aircraft was shot down.

According to Huckabee, Israeli involvement played a supporting but meaningful role alongside U.S. Special Forces, which led the operation on the ground.

The rescue effort has been widely described by officials as one of the most daring and intricate missions carried out during the current conflict.