TEHRAN: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it targeted and “heavily damaged” a US-made F-35 Lightning II aircraft over central Iran, in what it described as a major success for its air defence network.
According to the IRGC statement, Iranian air defence units engaged the stealth jet at approximately 2:50am local time on Thursday. The force claimed the aircraft was hit during the operation and said its final condition is still being assessed, suggesting there is a strong possibility it may have crashed.
The IRGC further stated that the incident came after it intercepted more than 125 drones allegedly linked to US and Israeli operations, presenting the engagement as proof of improved coordination and capability within Iran’s integrated air defence systems.
However, the United States has disputed this version of events. US military officials said an American F-35 conducted a mission over Iranian airspace but later performed an emergency landing due to unspecified technical issues. They confirmed the pilot is safe and have not acknowledged any loss of the aircraft.
The conflicting accounts highlight growing tensions and information warfare between the two sides, with each presenting sharply different narratives of the same incident.
About the F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter jet developed to operate in highly contested airspace. It is designed to avoid radar detection while carrying out missions such as air combat, precision strikes, surveillance, and electronic warfare. The aircraft is equipped with advanced sensor fusion technology that gives pilots real-time battlefield awareness. It is widely used by the United States and allied forces and is valued at over $100 million per unit, making any potential damage or loss strategically significant.
