An American F-35 stealth fighter made an emergency landing at a U.S. base in the Middle East after reportedly being targeted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The aircraft, on a combat mission over Iran, landed safely, and U.S. Central Command confirmed an investigation is underway. If verified, this marks the first confirmed targeting of a U.S. aircraft since the US-Israel-Iran conflict began in late February.
CNN sources reported the F-35 was fired upon during a night mission around 2:50 a.m., prompting the emergency landing. Captain Tim Hawkins, U.S. Central Command spokesperson, said the fifth-generation stealth fighter safely touched down, with no crew casualties. The incident highlights the heightened risks for advanced aircraft operating in Iranian airspace amid ongoing hostilities.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility, releasing video showing their air defense systems targeting the F-35. The Guards said the incident demonstrates improved Iranian air defense capabilities and noted they have already downed 150 drones in the conflict. Iranian media circulated the video of the engagement, though independent verification remains pending.
📹 لحظه انهدام جنگنده F35 بر فراز آسمان ایران
روابط عمومی سپاه:
این جنگنده بامداد امروز توسط سامانه پدافند نوین پیشرفته هوافضای سپاه مورد اصابت و آسیب جدی قرار گرفت
سرنوشت این جنگنده مشخص نیست و در دست بررسی است و احتمال سقوط آن بسیار است pic.twitter.com/jQnPgAy3cd
— خبرگزاری تسنیم (@Tasnimnews_Fa) March 19, 2026
This conflict has already seen significant U.S. aircraft losses, including three F-15 fighters mistakenly shot down by Kuwait’s air defenses and a KC-135 tanker crash in western Iraq that killed six crew members. To date, no U.S. aircraft have been independently confirmed as destroyed by Iranian fire. Each F-35 is valued at over $100 million, underscoring the potential strategic and financial implications.
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Experts caution that any confirmed hit on an F-35 would represent a major escalation in the US-Israel-Iran war, demonstrating Iran’s growing operational capability. Authorities continue to monitor airspace for further threats, emphasizing the need for caution and rapid intelligence assessment in the region.