Iran claims direct hit on US F-35 stealth jet, video shows damage midair

A US F-35 fighter jet was reportedly damaged during an Iranian strike and forced to make an emergency landing at a military base in the Middle East, according to news agency Reuters. The claim, made by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), would mark the first known instance of Iran hitting one of the US military’s most advanced and expensive aircraft in the ongoing conflict in Middle East.

According to the IRGC, the stealth jet was struck by air defence systems over central Iran in the early hours of Thursday. A video shared by Tehran Times claims to show the moment a US F-35 fighter jet was hit during a combat mission over Iranian airspace. The clip shows the aircraft appearing to take damage, with explosions, smoke trails, and the jet veering off course midair.

In a statement, the IRGC said it had "struck and seriously damaged" the aircraft at around 2.50 am (local time), adding that the jet’s fate remains unclear and that there is a "high possibility" it may have crashed. The group also said the operation followed the interception of more than 125 US-Israeli drones, calling it evidence of improvements in Iran’s air defence systems.

If confirmed, the incident would mark the first time Iran has successfully targeted an F-35, a fifth-generation fighter jet that costs more than $100 million and is considered a cornerstone of US air power. Both the US and Israel have been deploying F-35s extensively since the conflict escalated on February 28.

US CONFIRMS EMERGENCY LANDING, PLAYS DOWN DAMAGE

US Central Command said the aircraft was "flying a combat mission over Iran" when it was forced to make an emergency landing. "The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition," spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins told CNN. "This incident is under investigation."

However, Washington has not issued any official statement. The Pentagon said its operations are going as planned, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth saying the US is "winning decisively" and that Iran’s air defences have been "flattened".

Amid escalating conflict, at least 16 US aircraft have reportedly been destroyed since the start of the war, including 10 Reaper drones, while several others have been damaged in combat or accidents.

GULF ENERGY SITES HIT IN ATTACKS

The conflict has also spread to critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait have reported Iranian attacks on oil and gas facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled further escalation in a post on X, saying: "Our response to Israel's attack on our infrastructure employed FRACTION of our power. The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation. ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again. Any end to this war must address damage to our civilian sites."

US President Donald Trump had said Israel acted out of "anger" in its earlier strike and indicated that further attacks on key energy facilities may be avoided.

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