A United States F-35 stealth fighter was damaged during a combat mission over Iran and had to make an emergency landing at an American base in the Middle East.
According to US Central Command, the pilot aborted the operation after the aircraft suffered damage, but managed to land safely and is in stable condition. The episode may mark the first time an American F-35 has been hit by enemy fire in combat.
On the Iranian side, state media released images that allegedly show the moment in which a jet similar to the American model is hit by an anti-aircraft missile. Officials in the country called the case a symbolic victory, although the authenticity and details of the attack have not yet been fully independently verified.
The incident occurs amid the intensification of the conflict, which already involves attacks on strategic energy infrastructure. In recent days, offensives have hit refineries and gas fields, increasing tension in the region and impacting the global oil market, with a sharp rise in prices. Furthermore, drones and missiles have been used in actions that reach both military targets and critical installations.
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Despite the escalation, the US government maintains that the military campaign has been successful, highlighting the damage to Iran’s defensive and strategic capabilities. Even so, the scenario remains unstable, with new attacks, risks of expanding the conflict and an increase in the number of victims and displaced people, both in Iran and in areas affected by military operations.
Font: Militarnyi / Daily Mail | Photo: X @IrnaEnglish | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
The moment the F-35 fighter jet was targeted by Iran’s air defense. pic.twitter.com/ofI4v3YMIV
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) March 19, 2026
