DUBAI: Iran’s official news agency, Tasnim, has reported that a US F-35 stealth fighter jet was shot down and its pilot, who ejected from th...
DUBAI: Iran’s official news agency, Tasnim, has reported that a US F-35 stealth fighter jet was shot down and its pilot, who ejected from the aircraft, has been captured. Some reports suggest the aircraft might be an F-16E; however, the Pentagon has not officially confirmed these claims.
The aircraft reportedly crashed in the mountainous Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province in southwestern Iran. The pilot is said to have ejected via parachute over this rugged terrain.
Iranian state television has announced a significant cash reward for anyone who captures the enemy pilot alive and hands them over to the police or military. Conversely, some media outlets have broadcasted alerts suggesting the pilot should be shot on sight.
While some reports claim the pilot is currently in the custody of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), others suggest the pilot may have perished in the massive explosion following the crash.
Neither the US Central Command (CENTCOM) nor the Pentagon has confirmed the news. However, reports indicate intensified search operations using Black Hawk helicopters and C-130 aircraft in the border regions.
This critical incident occurs as the conflict, which began in February 2026, enters its fifth week. If the capture of a US pilot is confirmed, it could severely escalate the ongoing military initiative, "Operation Epic Fury," potentially leading to a full-scale direct war between the US and Iran.
This marks the third time Iran has claimed to have downed an F-35 since the conflict began. Tehran made similar claims on March 23 and April 2, both of which were dismissed by US Central Command.
"All US combat aircraft are accounted for. Iran's IRGC has made similar false claims at least half a dozen times," US Central Command stated in a press release.
Reports suggest the IRGC shot down the aircraft on Friday. News agencies indicate that the US military may have attempted a "Combat Search and Rescue" (CSAR) operation to recover the pilot from Iranian soil, believing they were still alive. However, sources told Tasnim that the pilot is likely in the hands of Iranian forces.
On Friday morning, the IRGC Aerospace Force claimed to have destroyed a second F-35 using a new, sophisticated defense system. They specified the aircraft belonged to the Lakenheath Squadron. Iran’s first claim of downing an F-35 was made on March 19.
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