03.04.2026 10:12
Iran's state television Press TV claimed that an F-35 fighter jet belonging to the United States has been shot down, sharing images of the wreckage for the first time. If the claims are verified, this development will mark the first recorded instance of an F-35 being downed in combat.
The war in the Middle East continues on its 35th day. Iranian state television Press TV reported that a second U.S. F-35 fighter jet was shot down in the central part of the country, and due to the complete destruction of the aircraft, there is currently no information about the fate of the pilot.
STRUCK BY AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM
In a statement from the Revolutionary Guards Corps, it was said, "An American-made advanced F-35 fighter jet was destroyed by the advanced air defense system of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps in the skies of central Iran."
IMAGES RELEASED
Images allegedly belonging to the downed aircraft were shared in the country's media. It was reported that the shot-down aircraft was part of the fleet at Lakenheath Air Base in the UK, which also hosts the U.S. Air Force.
A FIRST IN WAR HISTORY
This incident represents a turning point in the operational history of the F-35 aircraft. Considered one of the most advanced air platforms in the world and characterized as "invisible" due to its low radar visibility (stealth) technology, the F-35 had not sustained damage or been shot down by enemy fire in any combat zone since it entered service, despite participating in risky missions.
U.S. DID NOT CONFIRM
However, the U.S. military previously rejected similar claims and did not confirm that any F-35 had been shot down by Iran.
IRAN HAD PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED IT SHOT DOWN AN F-35 AIRCRAFT
Iran had also announced on March 19 that it shot down a U.S. F-35 and yesterday an Israeli F-16. The U.S. military claimed that the F-35 targeted by Iran made a "hard landing" at a base in one of the regional countries. Iran also announced yesterday that an advanced fighter jet was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz, sharing images allegedly belonging to the moment of the strike. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that the aircraft was not shot down.