Iran claims to have shot down advanced US F-35 fighter jet
March 24, 2026 • Al Jazeera
US F-35 Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Iran
A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing in Iran after being struck by a missile, according to reports from the country. Iranian authorities have released footage of the incident, which appears to show the jet being hit and subsequently making its way back to the ground.
The Pentagon has confirmed that the jet did indeed make an emergency landing, but has stated that the cause of the incident is still under investigation. If further evidence confirms the claim, it would be the first known instance of a combat hit on an F-35 aircraft.
Details of the incident are limited at this time, with officials from both Iran and the US remaining tight-lipped about the specifics of what happened. The footage released by Iranian authorities appears to show the jet being struck by a missile, but it is unclear whether the strike was successful in disabling or destroying the aircraft.
The Pentagon has declined to comment further on the incident, citing ongoing investigations into the cause of the emergency landing. As the investigation continues, officials from both countries are expected to provide more information about what happened and what steps will be taken next.
Source: Al Jazeera