A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after being struck by suspected Iranian fire during a combat mission over Iran. This incident marks the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the ongoing conflict, which began on February 28.
The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition, according to Captain Tim Hawkins of US Central Command. The incident is currently under investigation.
The F-35, which costs upwards of $100 million, was conducting operations in a high-stakes environment where the US has already lost other aircraft, including three F-15s and a KC-135 Stratotanker.
As of now, at least 13 US service members have been killed in combat operations against Iran, while in Iran, at least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured since the start of the conflict.
The US military has struck approximately 7,000 targets inside Iran, aiming to destroy Iran’s missile launchers and prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that these goals remain a priority.
In addition to the F-35, the US has also lost 12 MQ-9 Reaper drones and had five KC-135 refueling aircraft damaged in the ongoing conflict.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact cause of the F-35’s emergency landing. Observers are closely monitoring the situation as the timeline of the conflict and future developments remain unclear.