A U.S. F-35 fighter jet performed an emergency landing at an American base in the region following a combat mission over Iran, with potential damage to the aircraft.
CNN Reports Possible First American Aircraft Hit
CNN, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the American F-35 was damaged during a combat flight over Iran, necessitating the emergency landing.
If confirmed, this would be the first instance of an American aircraft being hit by Iran since the start of the conflict in late February. Both the United States and Israel utilize F-35 fighters, valued at over $100 billion per unit, in this conflict.
U.S. administration officials have recently emphasized the success of operations against Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stating on Thursday that the U.S. is “decisively winning” and Iranian air defenses have been “flattened.”
IRGC Claims Damage to U.S. Aircraft
A statement linked to Iranian messaging claims the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked and damaged the American F-35.
CENTCOM has only confirmed the emergency landing and the initiation of an investigation, but has not officially confirmed any cause of the aircraft’s damage.
CENTCOM Confirms Mission and Safe Landing
CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins confirmed the aircraft was on a combat mission over Iran when the incident occurred. He stated the plane landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition.
The incident is currently under investigation.
