Photo: FIle image of the F-35 fighter jet
A United States F-35 stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at a military base in the Middle East following what officials described as an incident during a combat mission near Iranian airspace, U.S. defence authorities said on Thursday.
The pilot landed the aircraft safely and was undergoing routine medical evaluation, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which did not confirm whether the jet had been struck by hostile fire.
“An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the emergency landing,” a U.S. defence official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Iranian state-aligned commentators, including the semi-official Tansnim news agency, are showing a video of the alleged incident, claiming that Iran air-defence units had successfully targeted the advanced American warplane, a claim that could not be independently verified.
The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, is a single-engine and pilot-only supersonic jet, reportedly costing over $100million apiece.
It is regarded as one of the most advanced stealth multirole fighters in service, plays a key role in U.S. air-power projection and intelligence-gathering missions. Analysts say any confirmed strike on the platform could carry strategic and symbolic implications, particularly amid the current cycle of retaliatory attacks and military escalation across the region.
U.S. officials declined to provide details on the extent of damage to the aircraft or the precise location of the mission, citing operational security.
The reported incident comes as Washington increases its military posture in the Middle East following recent missile and drone exchanges involving Iranian-aligned forces, raising concerns among allies about the risk of wider conflict.
Further information is expected after preliminary technical and operational assessments are completed.
