Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the rescue operations for two American pilots, whose fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, exemplify cooperation between the U.S. and the Israeli military during the war in Iran and when complications arise. "This is another expression of the close cooperation between Israel and the United States, even in the most complex moments," said Katz. According to Israeli media reports, special forces of the Israeli military were inserted into a mountainous area of Iran, where they managed to locate an American officer and extract him to safety. However, defense officials note that the search and rescue operation was assisted by Israeli intelligence. The Israeli Air Force also postponed attacks in parts of Iran where the searches were taking place, an Israeli official stated earlier. Katz conveyed that Iran will "pay painful prices" and that its national infrastructure will "collapse" if it continues to launch missiles at Israel. "As we have stated: as long as missile fire toward Israeli civilians continues, Iran will pay painful prices that will erode and bring down its national infrastructure," said Katz.