Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Thursday that it had struck and “severely broken” a US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran.
In a press release, the IRGC stated the plane was hit by its air protection techniques at round 2:50am (native time) on Thursday (2320GMT Wednesday evening), including that “a US F-35 fighter jet was struck and severely broken” over central Iran.
It added that “the destiny of the plane stays unknown and is beneath investigation,” noting there’s a “excessive chance” that the jet could have crashed.
The IRGC additionally stated the operation got here “following the profitable interception of greater than 125 US-Israeli drones,” including that the incident “displays vital and focused enhancements within the nation’s built-in air protection techniques.”
The US navy, in the meantime, stated in a press release {that a} US F-35 plane carried out an emergency touchdown after flying a fight mission over Iran. The navy stated the pilot was in steady situation.
A US official, talking on the situation of anonymity, informed AFP it appeared the plane had been hit by Iran, however an investigation was beneath method.
The developments come because the US and Israel proceed to interact in a conflict with Iran. It started with Washington and Tel Aviv launching a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, which additionally resulted within the assassination of supreme chief Ali Khamenei.
To date, greater than 1,300 individuals have been killed in Iran throughout the conflict.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes focusing on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf international locations internet hosting US navy belongings, inflicting casualties and harm to infrastructure whereas disrupting international markets and aviation.
Further enter from AFP
