US F-35 jet makes emergency landing after suspected Iranian strike: Report

A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after reportedly being struck by suspected Iranian fire, CNN reported citing two sources aware of the matter.

Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, stated that the fifth-generation stealth jet was conducting a combat mission over Iran at the time it was forced to make an emergency landing, as per the report. He noted that the aircraft landed safely and that the matter is being investigated.

“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins was quoted.

While a formal statement from United States Central Command is still pending, if verified, this would mark the first instance of a US military aircraft being hit by Iranian fire since the conflict erupted on February 28. In the conflict, both US and Israeli forces are operating F‑35 fighter jets, each reportedly costing upwards of $100 million.

The emergency landing by the F‑35 occurred only hours after defence secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the US was “winning decisively” in the war with Iran.

He further stated that since the start of the war on February 28, over 7,000 Iranian targets, including military and energy infrastructure, have been struck.

"To date, we've struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. That is not incremental. That is an overwhelming force applied with precision. And again, today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was. As I've said from day one, our capabilities continue to build. Iran's continued to degrade. We're hunting and striking, bringing death and destruction from above," the secretary of war stated.

The secretary also pointed to major naval losses, stating, "We've damaged or sunk over 120 of their Navy ships, with battle damage assessments pending for many more. Their submarines, once numbering 11, are gone. Their military ports are crippled."