Overview
- U.S. Central Command says the F-35 diverted to a regional base after a combat sortie over Iran, and the pilot is in stable condition.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard asserts it struck and seriously damaged the aircraft over central Iran around 2:50 a.m. local time and released a video that has not been independently verified.
- Multiple outlets, citing two U.S. sources, report the jet was believed to have been hit by Iranian fire, though officials have not confirmed the cause of the damage.
- If validated, the incident would be the first known Iranian hit on a U.S. manned aircraft in the current conflict, raising questions about Tehran’s air-defense capabilities.
- The development comes as U.S. leaders claim decisive gains and degraded Iranian air defenses, with prior U.S. aviation losses largely tied to accidents or friendly fire.