A U.S. F-35 fighter jet had to make an urgent landing at a Middle Eastern air base after coming under fire, which is suspected to have been sourced from Iran, according to reliable sources.
Capt. Tim Hawkins from U.S. Central Command confirmed that the advanced stealth aircraft was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it needed to divert and land safely.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” said Hawkins. The situation is currently being investigated for further clarity.
If verified, this would represent the first recorded incident of Iranian forces striking a U.S. aircraft since hostilities escalated in late February. Both the U.S. and Israel have been deploying F-35s amid the ongoing conflict, with each valued at over $100 million and recognized as top-tier fighter platforms globally.
A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, sources tell @halbritz & @OrenCNN.
This would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft (in this case a stealth, 5th generation…
— Zachary Cohen (@ZcohenCNN) March 19, 2026
This emergency landing occurs as high-ranking U.S. officials maintain optimism regarding the course of military operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked that the U.S. is “winning decisively” and asserts that Iran’s air defenses have been “flattened.”
As of now, CENTCOM has not shared more specifics about the incident, including details of any damage sustained or whether the pilot needed medical attention beyond standard safety evaluations. The investigation continues.
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