A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency touchdown at US air base within the Middle East after it was struck by what’s believed to be Iranian fire, in accordance with two sources conversant in the matter.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, stated the fifth-generation stealth jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was pressured to make an emergency touchdown. Hawkins stated the plane landed safely and the incident is underneath investigation.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”
The incident could be the primary time Iran has hit a US plane within the battle began in late February. Both the US and Israel are flying F-35s within the battle; the plane prices upwards of $100 million.
The emergency touchdown comes as senior US officers proceed to say widespread success in its marketing campaign towards Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Thursday morning that the US is “winning decisively” and that Iran’s air defenses have been “flattened.”
This is a growing story and will probably be up to date.