Iran claims it struck a US F-35 over its airspace — jet's fate unknown

What happened

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says its air defense systems hit and "seriously damaged" a US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran at around 2:50 AM local time Thursday.

The IRGC says the fate of the aircraft "remains unknown and is under investigation," noting a "high possibility" the jet crashed.

Context

The strike reportedly followed the interception of over 125 US-Israeli drones, which the IRGC called evidence of "significant and targeted improvements" in Iran's integrated air defense.

Since the US-Israeli joint offensive began on Feb. 28, approximately 1,300 people have been killed in Iran — including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Retaliation

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US military assets, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation.