Tehran [Iran], March 20 (ANI): Iran on Thursday said it became the first country to hit a US F-35 Lightning II, a key fifth-generation aircraft used by the US and many allies.
More than 19 countries have flown or plan to fly the Lightning II, which is highly sought after by the USAF and partner forces.
Citing US defence officials, CNN reported that an F-35 made an emergency landing after coming under an Iranian surface-to-air missile (SAM) barrage; the pilot was reported safe and an investigation is underway.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced on its official news site that its advanced air defence systems struck a US Air Force F-35 over central Iran at 2:50 a.m. local time. The IRGC said the jet’s fate is “unclear and under investigation,” adding that a crash is highly likely.
The IRGC also noted the action followed Iran’s downing of more than 125 US‑Israeli drones, which it said shows significant upgrades to its integrated air defence network.
The claim came a day after the White House posted on X that the F-35 represents “decisive American power.” (https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2033687078903362032?s=20)
According to CNN’s report, US defense officials said the F-35 performed an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire. Capt. Tim Hawkins, a US Central Command spokesperson, told CNN the aircraft was on an operational mission and “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to land.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins said. “This incident is under investigation.”
If verified, Iran’s strike would be the first time it has hit a US aircraft in the conflict that began in late February. The US and Israel have been deploying F-35s during the war; the jet is among the world’s most advanced and costs over USD 100 million.
US officials, however, have said their broader campaign is proceeding as planned. As the conflict nears its third week, senior leaders have continued to express confidence. On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US is “winning decisively” and asserted that Iran’s air defence systems have been “flattened.”
The US military has faced other setbacks during the fighting, not all caused by enemy action. Kuwaiti air defences accidentally shot down three F-15 Eagle jets, though all six crew members ejected safely. Separately, a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq last week; the military said the crash was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” and all six crew members aboard were killed.
Looking ahead, questions persist about how the conflict will evolve. CNN reported that a Marine Expeditionary Unit is being deployed to the region; a US official confirmed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okinawa and the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group are involved. The USS Tripoli was observed approaching Singapore earlier this week. (ANI)
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