Amit Segal Claims Role in F-15 Leak After Trump Threatens Jail Over Iran Report
Israeli journalist Amit Segal said Monday he was the first to report a second missing American airman from the downed F-15 in Iran, acknowledging the story that led Donald Trump to threaten jail if the reporter does not reveal sources. Writing on Telegram, Segal said the report on the weapons systems officer shot down during Operation Epic Fury “was first published here.”
The report surfaced at a sensitive moment in the U.S.-Iran conflict. After the jet was downed Friday, officials confirmed one pilot was recovered but did not initially say a second crew member was missing. At a White House briefing Monday, Trump said the leak may have alerted Iran, prompting a bounty, and vowed to find and prosecute whoever first disclosed it. He also blamed U.S. media, without naming outlets, though Fox News and The Washington Post were later cited by observers among the first to report it.
Trump said the reporter would face jail if sources were not revealed and that the administration would pressure the outlet on national security grounds. Within hours, Segal identified himself on Telegram, appearing to defy the threat. But when questioned by New York Post, he said he was “not sure” he was first and added, “I will protect my sources.” It is unclear how U.S. authorities could prosecute an Israeli citizen or compel an Israeli outlet to disclose sources.
Segal, 43, is a leading Israeli political commentator for Channel 12 and a columnist for Yediot Ahronot, with over 300,000 Telegram followers and a monthly column in The Wall Street Journal. He is known for major exposés, including corruption probes of Israeli lawmakers and reporting on Iranian cyber activity targeting Israeli political figures.
