TEHRAN: Iran has become the first nation to publicly claim a confirmed combat hit on the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II, valued at approximately $100 million per unit, widely regarded as the most advanced stealth fighter jet in the world.
The incident occurred on March 19, 2026, during a U.S. combat mission over central Iranian airspace as part of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-led coalition campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
As per US military administration, a US Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter was forced to make an emergency landing at a regional base on Thursday after being struck by suspected Iranian air defense fire, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The incident, which occurred during a combat mission over central Iran as part of ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ is believed to be the first confirmed instance of an F-35 sustaining combat damage in the history of the fifth-generation aircraft’s deployment.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at an undisclosed regional facility following the mission.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation,” Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, said in a brief statement. While official military channels remained guarded about the cause of the emergency, anonymous US officials told international media that the jet was indeed struck by Iranian ground fire.
The pilot’s identity has not been released, in line with standard operating procedures for active combat zones.
In Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the hit, asserting that their air defense units successfully intercepted the “so-called invisible” jet.
The IRGC released infrared (FLIR) footage through state-linked media outlets, purpoting to show a radar lock and a subsequent hit on the aircraft at approximately 2:50am local time. Iranian military sources claimed the jet was “severely damaged.”
Military analysts suggest that if the footage is authentic, it may indicate Iran’s use of passive infrared detection systems—technology that targets the heat signature of an aircraft rather than relying on traditional radar, which the F-35’s stealth profile is designed to evade.
The F-35 has been a cornerstone of the US and Israeli air campaigns since the conflict erupted in late February 2026. While the aircraft has seen extensive combat in various theaters over the last decade, it had maintained an unblemished record against enemy fire until now.
The strike comes despite recent assertions from US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who stated earlier on Thursday that Iranian air defenses had been “flattened” by coalition strikes.
While the aircraft was able to fly back to base—suggesting it was not a total loss, the US military admits that the event underscores the persistent risks to high-end coalition assets as they penetrate deeper into Iranian airspace.
