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Current Affairs

US F-35 hit by suspected Iranian fire, forced to make emergency landing

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…

By Samantha Johnson / March 19, 2026

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.

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“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.

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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.

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