US F-35 damaged by suspected Iranian fire makes emergency landing
19 hours ago
- #Middle East tensions
- #US-Iran conflict
- #F-35 emergency landing
- A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire.
- The fifth-generation stealth jet was on a combat mission over Iran when the incident occurred; the pilot is in stable condition.
- This marks the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the ongoing conflict that began in late February.
- Other US aircraft losses in the war include three F-15s mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses and a KC-135 Stratotanker crash in Iraq, killing all six crew members.
- The US military claims success in its campaign against Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stating Iran's air defenses have been 'flattened.'
- A Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group are deploying to the region as the conflict enters its third week.