Iran Hits US Fighter Jet, Forces It To Make Emergency Landing
A U.S fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire.
“We are aware of reports that a U.S. F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional U.S airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran,” Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told The Independent.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”
The jet is believed to have been hit by Iranian fire, two unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN. The attack would mark the first time Iranian forces have struck an American aircraft since the war broke out late last month.
A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after it was reportedly struck by Iranian fire.
The emergency landing comes one week after a U.S. refuelling tanker crashed while flying in friendly airspace over Iraq, killing all six crew members. Two aircraft were involved in the incident, which may have entailed a midair collision, according to The New York Times. It remains under investigation.
READ ALSO
•US To Strip Nigerian Convict Of Citizenship Over $91m Tax Fraud
•Iran Seeks To Move World Cup Matches From US To Mexico Over Safety Concerns
Trump administration officials have repeatedly claimed that the U.S. is winning the war, launched jointly by Israel and the U.S. on February 28, and that Iran is virtually powerless to respond.
“Iran has no air defences,” Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters last week. “Iran has no air force. Iran has no Navy. Their missiles, their missile launchers and drones being destroyed or shot out of the sky.”
The war, now in its third week, has engulfed the broader region, with strikes reported in Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other nearby nations. On Thursday, Hegseth said that the U.S. had struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran.
At least 1,200 Iranians have been killed and more than 10,000 have been wounded, according to Iranian officials. Thirteen U.S. service members have died, and over 140 have been injured, the Pentagon has said.
The conflict has also sparked fears of global economic turmoil, as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery of international trade — has ground to a halt. As a result, oil prices have shot up, surpassing the $100-a-barrel milestone on multiple occasions in recent weeks. And the average cost of a gallon of diesel surged past $5 this week.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
