Iran on Friday stated its air defence techniques shot down an F-35 fighter jet, the second such declare for the reason that battle started on February 28.
The state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting quoted the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters as saying that Iran’s air defence techniques focused an plane belonging to a squadron linked to RAF Lakenheath (Royal Air Drive Lakenheath, UK).
Whereas there was no impartial affirmation of the declare, the Iranian army officers stated that the pilot might have been killed after the jet exploded on affect in Central Iran.
Iran had made a related declare on March 19, when an F-35 fighter jet was attacked throughout an Iranian strike, forcing it to make an emergency touchdown at a army base within the Center East.
The declare, first made by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was the primary identified occasion of Iran’s air defence techniques hitting one of many US army’s most superior and costly plane within the ongoing battle.
A video shared by Tehran Instances confirmed the second a US F-35 fighter jet was hit throughout a fight mission over Iranian airspace. Smoke trails may very well be seen popping out of the jet following loud explosions because the jet veered astray.
#BREAKING
The second F-35 fighter jet was hithttps://t.co/VtLT5vz5it pic.twitter.com/641qTFE8A3— Tehran Instances (@TehranTimes79) March 19, 2026
Later, in an announcement, the IRGC stated it had “struck and severely broken” the plane at round 2.50 am (native time). It additionally added that there was a “excessive chance” of the jet crashing.
Nevertheless, the US Central Command stated the plane was “flying a fight mission over Iran” when it was compelled to make an emergency touchdown. “The plane landed safely, and the pilot is in secure situation,” spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins instructed CNN on March 20.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet that prices greater than $100 million and is taken into account a cornerstone of US air energy. Each the US and Israel have been deploying F-35s extensively for the reason that battle escalated on February 28.
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