A United States F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being hit by what is suspected to be Iranian fire, two sources familiar with the incident have said.
According to the sources, the advanced stealth aircraft sustained damage during the mission, prompting the pilot to divert and land at a nearby US military installation.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, confirmed the development, stating that the fifth-generation aircraft was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when the situation occurred.
He noted that the jet landed without further incident and that authorities have launched an investigation.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”
If confirmed, the development would mark the first instance of Iran successfully striking a US aircraft since the conflict began in late February.
Both the United States and Israel have deployed F-35 fighter jets in the ongoing war, with each aircraft valued at more than $100 million.
The incident comes amid continued assertions from top US officials that the military campaign against Iran is progressing effectively. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday morning that the US is “winning decisively” and that Iran’s air defenses have been “flattened.”
(CNN)
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