A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East Thursday — with Iran claiming responsibility for the attack, according to new reports.
The fifth-generation stealth fighter was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it suddenly had to make an emergency landing, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took credit for the incident, claiming it had “seriously damaged” the F-35 in an overnight strike.
A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after it was allegedly struck by Iran on Thursday, according to new reports. U.S. Central Command Public AffairsThe aircraft landed safely at an American base, with the pilot listed in stable condition, Hawkins said.
“This incident is under investigation,” he added.
While CENTCOM declined to provide additional information, sources familiar with the incident told CNN that Iranian fire was likely responsible for the incident.
It would be the first time Iran has been able to hit a US aircraft in the war, with F-35s costing the military more than $100 million.
The F-35 was allegedly struck as part of an operation that intercepted “more than 125 US-Israel drones,” the IRGC claimed.
The F-35 is the latest aircraft damaged or destroyed in the war, with the US previously losing three F-15s to friendly fire in Kuwait at the start of the war, according to reports. U.S. Central Command Public AffairsThe incident comes after both US and Israeli officials repeatedly touted that Iran’s air defense systems were completely decimated following the ongoing bombardment campaigns on Tehran’s missile launchers.
The F-35 is the latest aircraft damaged or destroyed in the war, with the US previously losing three F-15s to friendly fire in Kuwait at the start of the war.
A KC-135 tanker was also destroyed during a refueling operation, killing all six crew members aboard.
