From the Associated Press: An F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing after flying a combat mission over Iran, U.S. Central Command says.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the command that oversees the Middle East, said that the aircraft landed safely and the pilot was in “stable” condition.
CNN first reported on the incident and said the jet was believed to be hit by Iranian fire.
Hawkins wouldn’t comment on the report and said that the incident was under investigation.
The report adds that Iranian state TV bragged that its air defense system had hit an F-35 fighter jet. The planes reportedly cost up to $77 million each in 2023.
CENTCOM spokesman Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement, “We are aware of reports that a U.S. F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional U.S airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation.”
In statement, @CENTCOM spokesman Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins says:
“We are aware of reports that a U.S. F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional U.S airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition.…
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) March 19, 2026
Iran has released what appears to be animated “footage” of their attack on the U.S. fighter jet.
🚨#BREAKING: Iranian officials have just released wild new footage claiming it reportedly shows one of its air defense systems successfully hitting an American F-35 fighter jet, which was forced to make an emergency landing. pic.twitter.com/7V7TyAuOLB
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 19, 2026
READ MORE from the Associated Press.
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