A US F-35 fighter aircraft was hit by suspected Iranian fire and had to make an emergency landing on Thursday.
This would be the first time Iran has hit one of the US$100 million planes since the US and Israel launched their attack on the country on February 28, according to CNN, which first reported the incident.
The F-35 was “flying a combat mission over Iran”, a spokesman for US Central Command said.
Advertisement
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Captain Tim Hawkins said. “This incident is under investigation.”
Iranian state television, quoting a Revolutionary Guard statement, said its air defence system had badly damaged an F-35.
At least 16 US military aircraft have been destroyed since the start of the war with Iran, including 10 Reaper strike drones hit by enemy fire, with a half-dozen other planes badly damaged in attacks or accidents.
Advertisement

Don't Miss:
-
The peacock throne’s gambit: Iran’s Reza Pahlavi plans to flip the script on Beijing
-
Israel PM says Iran can no longer enrich uranium, hints at ‘ground component’ to war
-
US-China split on digital money deepens as stablecoin debate stalls Clarity Act
-
Trump talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi off to positive start
-
US has no end date for Iran war, strikes ‘very much on track’: Hegseth

Questions swirl around US plans for record $15B Prince Group crypto seizure
Donate to ICIJ
Chelsea FC fined millions over secret payments under Abramovich ownership