Iran Claims Damage to U.S. F-35 Fighter Jet Amid Ongoing Conflict

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it damaged a U.S. F-35 Lightning II during a military operation over Iran.

According to the IRGC, the aircraft was struck while conducting a mission inside Iranian airspace.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials confirmed that an F-35 made an emergency landing at an American base in the Middle East. Citing two sources, reports suggest the aircraft may have been damaged in an Iranian attack.

A spokesperson for United States Central Command, Captain Tim Hawkins, said the jet had been on a combat mission over Iran when it was forced to land.

He added that the aircraft landed safely and that the pilot is in stable condition. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

This marks the first time since the conflict began in late February that Iran has claimed to have struck a U.S. military aircraft. Both the United States and Israel are using F-35 fighter jets in the ongoing conflict, with each aircraft valued at over $100 million.