A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after being struck by suspected Iranian fire while flying a combat mission over Iran. This incident marks the first time Iran has successfully hit a US aircraft in the ongoing conflict, which began on February 28, 2026.
The pilot of the F-35 is reported to be in stable condition following the emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East. Captain Tim Hawkins stated, “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” adding that the incident is currently under investigation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed responsibility for targeting the US aircraft, raising tensions in a conflict that has already seen at least 13 US service members killed in combat operations against Iran. The US military has conducted strikes against approximately 7,000 targets inside Iran since the conflict began, with operations intensifying as they strike deeper into Iranian territory.
The F-35, which costs upwards of $100 million, is a key asset in the US military’s operations. While the US has lost other aircraft in the conflict, none have been confirmed to have been hit by enemy fire until this incident.
In addition to the F-35 incident, the US has reported the loss of 12 MQ-9 Reaper drones and damage to 5 KC-135 refueling aircraft. Furthermore, a friendly fire incident resulted in the downing of 3 F-15 fighter jets, with 6 crew members safely ejecting.
As the conflict continues, the exact cause of the F-35’s emergency landing remains under investigation, and details remain unconfirmed. Observers are closely monitoring the situation as the timeline of the conflict and future developments remain unclear.
