US F-35 Hit By Iran: What Forced The Stealth Jet Into Emergency Landing?

<p data-start="78" data-end="375">Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, an Iranian attack forced an emergency landing of a US F-35 fighter jet. According to US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins, the fifth-generation stealth aircraft was on a combat mission over Iran when it was compelled to land in the region.</p> <p data-start="377" data-end="531">CNN quoted Hawkins as saying that the jet landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. He added that the incident is currently under investigation.</p> <h2 data-section-id="axz65s" data-start="538" data-end="591"><strong data-start="542" data-end="591">First Targeting of US Aircraft in Ongoing War</strong></h2> <p data-start="593" data-end="789">This marks the first instance of Iran targeting a US aircraft since the war began in late February. Both the United States and Israel have been deploying F-35 fighter jets in strikes against Iran.</p> <p data-start="791" data-end="855">Each of these advanced stealth aircraft costs over $100 million.</p> <h2 data-section-id="1hv1t4c" data-start="862" data-end="899"><strong data-start="866" data-end="899">IRGC Claims Jet Was Shot Down</strong></h2> <p data-start="901" data-end="1028">The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility, stating that it shot down a US F-35 over central Iran.</p> <p data-start="1030" data-end="1170">Iran has said the fate of the aircraft is unknown but suggested it was likely downed. There has been no official confirmation of this claim.</p> <p data-start="1172" data-end="1267">Iran has previously made similar claims of downing US and Israeli aircraft during the conflict.</p> <h2 data-section-id="cvrrp9" data-start="1274" data-end="1322"><strong data-start="1278" data-end="1322">Questions Over F-35 Stealth Capabilities</strong></h2> <p data-start="1324" data-end="1439">The incident comes despite longstanding US claims that the F-35 cannot be detected by radar or air defence systems.</p> <p data-start="1441" data-end="1572">This is the second time the aircraft has reportedly been detected and struck during the conflict, with the pilot narrowly escaping.</p> <p data-start="1574" data-end="1695">Iran is equipped with the Bavar-373 air defence system, which is capable of targeting stealth fighter jets like the F-35.</p> <h2 data-section-id="1lmvo6m" data-start="1702" data-end="1744"><strong data-start="1706" data-end="1744">US Maintains It Is Winning the War</strong></h2> <p data-start="1746" data-end="1871">The development comes as senior US officials continue to assert that their campaign against Iran is progressing successfully.</p> <p data-start="1873" data-end="2063">US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday (March 19, 2026) that the United States is achieving a decisive victory and that Iran&rsquo;s air defence systems have been completely destroyed.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-f-35-hit-by-iran-what-forced-the-stealth-jet-into-emergency-landing-1832068