Former U.S. President Donald Trump has increased his fight with the media, warning that news organisations may be forced to reveal their sources over reports about a secret rescue mission in Iran, or face jail.

Speaking during a White House press briefing on Monday, Trump expressed anger over leaks concerning a risky mission to rescue two crew members from a downed F-15 aircraft.

He said the leak of operational details put American soldiers in danger and made it harder to evacuate an injured service member.

Trump added that the government would confront the media company that published the report, demanding the sources in the name of national security or taking legal action that could lead to imprisonment.

He described the person behind the leak as careless, saying they did not consider the serious consequences of sharing sensitive information.

Trump also explained that the leak affected efforts to rescue a missing weapons officer, who reportedly stayed hidden from Iranian forces for almost two days despite being badly injured.

Reports indicated that some major U.S. media organisations delayed publishing the story over the weekend to avoid putting the rescue mission at risk.

Trump’s remarks go beyond his usual criticism of the press, which he often labels as “fake news,” and are expected to spark renewed debates about press freedom and the balance with national security.

Critics argue that such threats could intimidate journalists and weaken media independence, while the administration insists the focus is on protecting national security.

The rescue mission itself was highly complex, involving about 155 aircraft, planned distractions to mislead Iranian forces, and significant operational risks. Although no rescue personnel were injured, some aircraft were destroyed to prevent sensitive military equipment from being captured.