Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released a video purporting to show a missile striking a US F-35 stealth fighter over Iran, causing damage. This comes as US officials confirmed an F-35 made an emergency landing in the Middle East after an unspecified incident.
The IRGC-released video, captured by an infrared sensor, depicts an aircraft resembling an F-35 being tracked. Seconds later, a projectile approaches and explodes, damaging the aircraft and leaving a trail of smoke or fuel. The IRGC stated the incident occurred in the early morning on 19/3, asserting the US F-35 fighter was "hit and severely damaged", though the type of weapon used was not disclosed.
US officials have not commented on the video. However, CNN previously reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that a US F-35 stealth fighter made an emergency landing at an airbase in the Middle East after being "hit by suspected Iranian fire". Colonel Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed an F-35 made an emergency landing while conducting a combat mission over Iran. "The aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. The incident is under investigation," he said.
The specific F-35 variant, each costing 82-135 million USD depending on the model, and the service operating the aircraft remain unclear. If confirmed, this would mark the first time Iran has hit a US manned aircraft since the conflict escalated on 28/2.
Military experts Thomas Newdick and Howard Altman, editors at the US military specialized publication War Zone, noted that Iranian air defense systems can be easily camouflaged and remain a significant threat. They added that F-35s face increasing risks, especially when conducting direct attack missions and operating deeper within Iranian airspace. "Despite suppression efforts by the US and Israel, Iran still possesses mobile air defense systems, and these systems can appear anywhere, giving pilots little time to react," the two experts stated.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, War Zone)
