A United States F-35 stealth fighter jet was reportedly hit by suspected Iranian fire and forced to make an emergency landing at an American air base in the Middle East, according to US media reports on Thursday. If confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of a US aircraft being struck by Iranian fire in the ongoing conflict.
Aircraft and Pilot Safe, Investigation Ongoing
Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, confirmed an incident involving an aircraft but did not verify the specific reports from outlets including ABC and CNN. “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins stated. “This incident is under investigation.”
Conflict Context and Previous Losses
The reported strike occurs amid a massive US-Israeli air campaign against Iran, launched following a major US military buildup in the region. The United States has suffered several aircraft losses during the conflict, though none previously attributed to direct Iranian fire. These losses include:
- Three F-15s mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces.
- A KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq.
US military officials report 13 service members killed since operations began on February 28, with around 200 wounded across seven Middle Eastern countries.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The incident adds to soaring regional tensions. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel acted alone in bombing Iran’s South Pars gas field and confirmed that US President Donald Trump had asked Israel to hold off on such attacks. Netanyahu claimed Iran’s military capacities were being “decimated” but suggested a “ground component” would be necessary for regime change.
As he spoke, Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward Israel, according to statements from both nations’ militaries.
US Troop Deployment and Policy Statements
Amid the escalating war, which has reportedly killed over 2,000 people, a US official and other sources told Reuters that President Trump was considering sending thousands more troops to the Middle East. However, Trump later stated on Thursday, “I’m not putting troops anywhere,” denying plans for a ground force deployment.
