The statement indicated that the aircraft in question was hit by an advanced air defense system belonging to the IRGC Air Force at approximately 02:50 today and sustained serious damage.
The statement, which noted that the fate of the aircraft has not yet been clarified, mentioned that investigations into the incident are ongoing and that it is assessed that the aircraft may have likely crashed.
The statement also recalled that Iranian air defense systems had previously downed more than 125 kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to the US and Israel, emphasizing that this latest intervention is an indicator of the progress recorded in the country's integrated air defense systems. The IRGC released footage it claims shows the moment the aircraft was hit.
Footage of the moment Iran hit the American F-35 aircraft has been sharedhttps://t.co/2bRDM1Gw19 pic.twitter.com/Ebh11hZXRd
— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) March 19, 2026
It had been claimed that the aircraft made an emergency landing at a base in the Middle East after sustaining damage in Iranian skies
Reports in the US press had claimed that a US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at a base in the Middle East after sustaining damage in Iranian skies. US Central Command (CENTCOM) Spokesperson Tim Hawkins stated in his announcement that the fifth-generation fighter jet in question had to make an emergency landing while conducting a combat mission over Iran. Hawkins stated that the aircraft landed safely and that an investigation into the incident had been launched, saying, "The aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation."
News Source: 12punto
