US F-35 Fighter Jet Struck by Iranian Fire, Makes Emergency Landing in First Confirmed Combat Hit on Stealth Aircraft
CENTCOM confirms jet was on combat mission over Iran; pilot safe as Iran claims ‘serious damage’ to $100 million warplane
WASHINGTON — March 20, 2026 — A United States Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at a military base in the Middle East after being struck by what US officials believe was Iranian fire, marking the first time Iran has successfully hit a US warplane since the conflict began on February 28, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed .
The incident, which occurred early Thursday local time, represents a significant development in the three-week-old war between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran, potentially complicating American and Israeli reliance on the advanced fifth-generation fighter for precision strikes against Iranian targets .
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Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, confirmed that the F-35 was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing . “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins said, adding that the incident is under investigation .
While US officials have not explicitly confirmed that enemy fire caused the damage, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the aircraft was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire .
Iran Claims Responsibility, Vows More ‘Surprises’
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement claiming responsibility for the strike, asserting that its “advanced new air defense system” targeted the American aircraft over central Iran at approximately 2:50 a.m. local time (2320 GMT Wednesday) .
“The hostile US army’s F35 fighter jet in central Iranian airspace at 2:50 AM today was hit and seriously damaged by the advanced new air defense system of the IRGC Aerospace Force,” the IRGC said in a statement . The group added that the aircraft’s fate “is unknown and under investigation, and it is very likely to have crashed” .
Iranian media released video footage purporting to show the moment the F-35 was hit, with visible flashes and smoke trails . However, the footage has not been independently verified, and past instances of misleading or unverified visuals circulating during the conflict have been documented .
The IRGC characterized the successful strike as part of a series of large-scale air defense operations, claiming to have intercepted more than 125 “American-Israeli drones that had intruded into its airspace” .
Abdolrahim Mousavi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned that more such incidents could follow. “We have previously stated many times that although US President Donald Trump frequently makes verbal threats, he must understand that the Iranian armed forces have prepared surprises for him and Israel,” Mousavi said, according to Iranian media . “Today’s strike on the US F-35 is just one of them; they should expect more surprises” .
A First-of-its-Kind Combat Hit
If confirmed, the incident would mark the first time in combat history that an F-35 Lightning II—the US military’s most advanced stealth fighter, with a price tag exceeding $100 million—has been confirmed hit by enemy fire .
Both the United States and Israel have relied heavily on F-35s to conduct precision strikes against Iranian military installations, nuclear facilities, and leadership targets since the war began . The aircraft’s stealth capabilities were designed to evade radar detection, making the reported successful engagement by Iranian air defenses a potentially significant tactical development.
The F-35, a fifth-generation fighter jet considered a cornerstone of US air superiority, had never before been publicly confirmed to have been hit by enemy fire in combat conditions . Iran’s ability to detect and engage such an advanced platform, if validated, could force US and Israeli military planners to reassess their air campaign strategies .
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Conflicting Narratives and Unverified Claims
While CENTCOM confirmed the emergency landing, US officials have been careful not to explicitly state that Iranian fire caused the damage, noting that the incident remains under investigation . The distinction is significant, as a confirmed combat loss would carry different strategic and psychological weight than a mechanical failure or other operational issue.
Adding to the uncertainty, Iranian media later reported that a second US F-35 was struck over Bandar Abbas Province in southern Iran, with the aircraft reportedly diverting to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates . That claim has not been independently verified and has not been acknowledged by US military officials.
US Aircraft Losses Mount in Three-Week Conflict
The reported F-35 strike is the latest in a series of US aircraft losses since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, though previous incidents were attributed to accidents or friendly fire rather than enemy action .
On March 12, six US airmen were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during combat operations. CENTCOM said the crash was not the result of hostile or friendly fire . Earlier, on March 1, three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces in a friendly fire incident; all six crew members ejected safely .
According to US military figures, 13 American service members have been killed since the conflict began, with approximately 200 wounded across seven Middle Eastern countries .
Context of Escalating Conflict
The F-35 incident comes amid intensified military operations across the region. On Wednesday, Israel launched a strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve, prompting Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy infrastructure . Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub, sustained damage in subsequent Iranian strikes .
Earlier Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a Pentagon press conference stating that the United States is “winning decisively” and that Iran’s air defenses had been “flattened” . However, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered a more measured assessment, noting that Iran retains “some capability” to attack US and allied assets in the region, including oil facilities .
The F-35 incident occurred hours after Hegseth’s comments, highlighting the gap between declared US objectives and the tactical realities on the ground.
Strategic Implications
If Iran has indeed developed the capability to detect and engage fifth-generation stealth fighters, the implications extend beyond the current conflict. The F-35 is the centerpiece of US and allied air power strategies, with dozens of nations operating or planning to operate the platform.
For the United States and Israel, which have relied on the aircraft’s stealth capabilities to penetrate Iranian airspace with relative impunity, the incident may prompt a review of operational tactics, flight profiles, and the effectiveness of electronic warfare countermeasures designed to protect the aircraft from enemy air defenses.
As of Friday morning, US military officials have provided no further details on the extent of damage to the aircraft or whether it will be returned to service. The investigation into the incident continues.
SOURCES / INPUTS
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