Iran on Thursday claimed to have struck a US F-35 Lightning II, asserting it was the first country to do so. The aircraft Tehran says it targeted is one of the US's most valuable jets and a cornerstone of its fifth-generation warfighting capabilities.
According to US reports, the F-35 was damaged during a combat mission over Iran and was forced to make an emergency landing at a US base in the region. A US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson, Captain Tim Hawkins, confirmed the jet had been on an operational mission, stating: "The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation." The US has not confirmed whether the damage resulted from enemy fire.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its air-defence systems struck the jet over central Iran at 2:50 AM local time. Iranian officials described the aircraft as sustaining "heavy damage" and said its fate is still under investigation, with a high likelihood it may have crashed. The IRGC released thermal footage showing an air-defence missile engaging the aircraft, although the visuals have not been independently verified.
The IRGC also highlighted that the interception follows the successful downing of more than 125 US-Israeli drones, signalling upgrades in Iran's integrated air-defence network. The Iranian claim comes a day after the White House posted on X that the F-35 represents "decisive American power." If confirmed, it would mark the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft during the ongoing conflict, which began in late February.
MOMENT US F-35 'SERIOUSLY DAMAGED' BY IRGC AIR DEFENSES — Fars News pic.twitter.com/rwh5dldIfc
— RT (@RT_com) March 19, 2026
The F-35, valued at over $100 million (approximately ₹931 crore), is among the most advanced multi-role stealth fighters in operation globally.
The US military has faced additional setbacks during the conflict, though not all due to enemy action. Three F-15 Eagle jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air-defence systems, with all six crew members ejecting safely. Separately, a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq last week, killing all six crew members; the US military said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.
Despite these incidents, US officials maintain that the overall campaign remains on track. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth proclaimed on Thursday that the US is "winning decisively" and claimed that Iran's air-defence systems have been "flattened."
