Iranian state media on Friday reported that a second American fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II, has been shot down over central Iran by an advanced air-defence system operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The claim, however, remains unverified by US officials.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV, which cited a statement attributed to the spokesperson of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the stealth aircraft was intercepted using a newly deployed system belonging to the IRGC Aerospace Force.
Iranian officials stated that the strike resulted in a “massive explosion,” suggesting that the pilot likely did not survive.
“A second US fifth-generation F-35 was struck and downed over central Iran by a new IRGC Aerospace Force air-defence system. Given the massive explosion on impact and during the crash, the pilot is unlikely to have ejected,” the spokesperson said, as quoted by Press TV.
A similar account was carried by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which cited the Central Headquarters of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The report claimed that the aircraft was targeted by a modern IRGC air-defence system and destroyed mid-air, leading to a catastrophic crash.
Iranian media outlets also released a purported video of the incident, showing a missile streaking through the clouds toward a fighter jet. The IRGC described the operation as a demonstration of its evolving air-defence capabilities, claiming its systems can now challenge even advanced stealth platforms like the F-35.
The United States has not officially confirmed the incident. Independent verification of the claims remains unavailable, and defence analysts caution that such reports often emerge amid heightened geopolitical tensions and information warfare.
This is not the first such assertion. On March 19, Iran claimed it had successfully struck an F-35, which, if verified, would mark a significant milestone given the aircraft’s advanced stealth and electronic warfare capabilities.
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is considered a cornerstone of US and allied air power. More than 19 countries currently operate or plan to deploy the aircraft, underscoring its global strategic importance.
If confirmed, the downing of even a single F-35 would raise serious questions about the survivability of stealth aircraft in contested airspace and could signal a shift in modern aerial warfare dynamics.
For now, the claims remain contested, with the international community awaiting further evidence or official confirmation from US defence authorities.
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