Noghtezan, a media group linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated on 26/5 that "a US F-35 fighter jet violated Iranian airspace at 3h on 25/5 with intentions to penetrate deeper. Iran's new generation air defense system prevented the adversary from doing this. The F-35 had to turn back and retreat after seeing air defense missiles launched".

The released video shows an infrared sensor tracking a maneuvering aircraft, identified as a US F-35 stealth fighter. The aircraft then appears to engage afterburners, causing its exhaust stream to glow brightly, and begins to move away from the sensor's position.

Aircraft suspected to be a US F-35 fighter jet tracked by Iranian air defense in a video released on 26/5. *Video: Noghtezan*

The IRGC previously announced that it opened fire after "detecting hostile aircraft entering airspace" over the Persian Gulf. It claimed to have shot down an MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and forced an RQ-4 Global Hawk long-range reconnaissance UAV and an F-35 fighter jet to leave the area.

The IRGC affirmed Iran's right to respond to any US actions it considers a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Iranian officials warned that any act of aggression against the country would face "a much more serious response, potentially extending beyond the region".

This is not the first time Iran has claimed to have locked onto and fired at US F-35 stealth fighter jets.

In an incident on 19/3, the IRGC announced it had hit a US F-35A, causing severe damage to the aircraft. Images released afterwards showed a sensor tracking an F-35-like target before a projectile approached and exploded, causing the aircraft to emit a long trail of smoke or fuel.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), the unit responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, announced on the same day that an F-35A stealth fighter had to make an emergency landing at a base in the region after a combat mission over Iran. CENTCOM officials stated the aircraft landed safely and the pilot was "in stable condition", seemingly implying the pilot had been injured.

Majid air defense missile launcher in a photo released 11/2021. *Photo: Iran Press*

Air & Space Forces magazine (US) reported on 22/3, citing informed sources, that the F-35A was heavily damaged after being hit by a missile over Iran and was unlikely to return to service in the near future. The pilot was also injured by shrapnel.

Nguyen Tien (According to Al Jazeera, Tasnim, AFP, AP)