A United States F-35 stealth fighter jet was damaged during a combat mission over Iran, forcing it to make an emergency landing at a US military base in the Middle East, according to reports citing American officials.
The aircraft, identified as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, was reportedly struck by Iranian air defense fire while conducting an operation inside Iranian airspace. Despite sustaining damage, the jet managed to land safely, and the pilot is said to be in stable condition.
A spokesperson for United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Captain Tim Hawkins, confirmed that the fifth-generation fighter was engaged in a wartime mission when the incident occurred. He added that the situation is currently under investigation.
This marks the first known instance of Iran successfully hitting a US fighter jet since the conflict intensified in late February. Both the United States and Israel have been deploying F-35 jets extensively in operations against Iranian targets.
Each F-35 aircraft costs over $100 million, making it one of the most advanced and expensive combat jets in the world.
The development comes despite recent claims by US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, that American forces were achieving decisive success and had significantly degraded Iran’s air defense capabilities.
The incident underscores the continuing risks faced by even the most advanced military platforms in the ongoing conflict and signals a potential shift in the operational dynamics of the war.
