Jennifer Griffin@JenGriffinFNC
According to a senior administration official:
Prior to locating the WSO (Weapons System Officer) and the US military’s daring rescue, the CIA first launched a deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration out of the country.
While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the Agency used its unique, exquisite capabilities to search for -- and find -- the American airman. This was the ultimate "needle in a haystack," but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for CIA's capabilities.
The CIA immediately shared the WSO’s exact location with the Pentagon and The White House.
The President ordered an immediate rescue mission, which CENTCOM executed with boldness and precision, with CIA continuing to provide real time information.